page

contents

Program7

Keynote Address

8

Plenary Address

9

Abstracts
Posters

INA14 abstracts
Reston, Virginia
volume 33 | special issue | september 2013

INA14 abstracts Reston, Virginia

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volume 33 | special issue | sep 2013

INA14 abstracts
Reston, Virginia

INA14 Reston, USA 2013
Local Organising Committee & Staff(all USGS, Reston, Virginia, USA unless otherwise stated)

Jean SELF TRAIL: Organiser & Host
Wilma B. ALEMAN GONZALEZ: General Information, Contracts
Ellen L. SEEFELT: General Information, Artwork
Laurel M. BYBELL: Editing
Allen CRIDER: Audio Visual Support
David GOVONI: Website
Mercer PARKER: General Information & Field Trip Support
David S. POWARS: Field Trip Guide (post Conference)

We hope you enjoyed
INA14 in Reston

Arthur SCHULTZ: Field Trip Support
Whittney SPIVEY: General Information
Robert WEEMS: Field Trip Guide (Pre Conference)
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14th INA Conference, Reston, Virginia, USA, 2013, abstracts © 2013 International Nannoplankton Association
ISSN 1210-8049 Printed by Harcourt Colour Print, Swansea

DIaMOND lEvEl

GOlD lEvEl

SIlvER lEvEl

IN KIND SUPPORT

INDIvIDUal CONTRIbUTORSRichard Howe

Alicia Kahn

Mike Styzen

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INA14

INa 14 local Organizing Committee and Staff

Jean M. Self-Trail
Organizer and Hostlaurel M. bybell

Wilma b. aleman
GonzalesGeneral information, Artwork

Contracts

Ellen l. Seefelt

Editing

Audio Visual support

allen Crider

David Govoni

Mercer Parker

David S. Powars

arthur Schultz

General information,
Field trip support

Field trip guide(post-Conference)

Whitney Spivey
General information

Website Guru

Field trip support

Robert Weems
Field trip Guide(pre-Conference)INA143

INa14 Program
Sunday September 15th
8:00am-4:00pm
Pre-Conference Field Trip - Leave from the main
entrance of the Sheraton Reston
4:00pm-6:30pm
Early Registration at the Sheraton Reston
6:30pm-8:30pm
Ice Breaker Reception at the Sheraton Reston
Monday September 16th
7:00am-8:30am - Registration Open
8:30am-9:00am - Welcome Speakers
SeSSIoN I - Taxonomy and evolution
Chairs: Marie-Pierre Aubry and Jeremy Young
9:00amJordan, R.W., McCartney, K., and Witkowski, J., The
Melbourne Code: implications for nannofossil andsilicoflagellate taxonomy
9:15amYoung, J.R., Bown, P.R., and Lees, J.A., Nannotaxcreating a web directory of nannofossil taxonomy
9:30amThomsen, H.A., Østergaard, J.B., and Heldal, M.,
Weakly calcified polar coccolithophorids: the genus
Pappomonas revisted
9:45amMcCartney, K., Witkowski, J., et al., Fossil and Recent
silicoflagellate double skeletons: clues to evolutionary
history, taxonomy, and the formation of skeletons
10:00amde Kaenel, E., A revision of reticulofenestrid
taxonomy and biostratigraphy
10:15am-10:45pm – Morning Coffee Break
10:45am-12:00pm
Taxonomy cont’d
10:45am
Henderiks, J., Reitan, T., et al., Phenotypic evolutionof the “planktic superspecies” Coccolithus pelagicus
11:00amBord, D.*, and Aubry, M.-P., Patterns of morphological evolution in the Tribrachiatus lineage: ageometric morphometric study
11:15am
Hagino, K., Onuma, R., et al., Relationships among
Braarudosphaera bigelowii, Chrysochlomulina
parkeae, and the prymnesiophyte host of the cyanobacterium UCYN-A

11:30am
Aubry, M.-P., and Bord, D.*, The Order Discoasterales—taxonomy and phylogenetic reconstruction
SeSSIoN II Biostratigraphy and Boundary events (part I)
Chairs: Richard Howe and David Watkins
11:45amErba, E., Da-Yong, J., et al., The oldest calcareous
nannofossils: Middle Triassic coccoliths from China
12:00pm-1:30pm - Lunch Break
1:30pm- 3:15pm
Biostratigraphy and Boundary events (part I) cont’d
1:30pmFraguas, Á., Herrle, J.O., et al., Biostratigraphy ofLower Jurassic calcareous nannofossils from the
Schandelah core (NW Germany)
1:45pmMattioli, E., Recent advances in calcareous
nannofossil biostratigraphy across the PleinsbachianToarcian boundary in the Peniche section, the GSSP
candidate, and comparisons with other Tethyan
settings
2:00pmFerreira, J., Mattioli, E., et al., Advances on
calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy based on
Toarcian-Aalenian sections from the Lusitanian
Basin (Portugal)
2:15pmRai, J., When did the Jurrassic Sea date the western
Indian craton: revelations by nannofossils
2:30pmStoykova, K., Ivanov, M., and Idakieva, V.,
Calibration of calcareous nannofossil and ammonite
bio-events across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary:a case study from Bulgaria
2:45pmRusso, F.*, Erba, E., and Bottini, C., The calcareous
nannofossil record in the Cenomanian-Turonianboundary interval: implications for regional andglobal correlations
3:00pmCorbett, M.J., Watkins, D.K., and Pospichal, J.J.,
Quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossil
bioevents of the Late Cretaceous (late CenomanianConiacian) Western Interior Seaway and their relative
reliability
3:15pm-3:45pm - Afternoon Coffee Break

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3:45pm-4:30pm
Biostratigraphy and Boundary events (part II)
Chairs: Eric de Kaenel and Mike Styzen
3:45pmWagreich, M., Nannofossil biostratigraphy in theCampanian – a Tethyan perspective
4:00pmGarg, R., Rai, J., and Singh, A., Calcareous nannofossils across the K-T boundary at Um Sohryngkew,
Meghalaya, northeastern India
4:15pmDunkley Jones, T., Moore, T., et al., Integrated
microplankton records of equatorial Pacific ecosystem
perturbations across the Eocene-Oligocene transition
4:30pm-5:15pm
Keynote Talk: Dr. Brian Huber, Datum chasing
toward an improved Cretaceous time scale
5:30pm-7:00pm
Evening Poster Session
Tuesday September
17th
Tuesday
September 17th
8:15am-10:15am SeSSIoN II Biostratigraphy and Boundary events (part II) cont’d
8:15amAlqudah, M.*, Mutterlose, J., et al., Calcareous
nannofossil biostratigraphy of oil shales from central
Jordan8:30amFernando, A.G.S., Fernandez, A.R.C., et al.,Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic studies in the
Visayan Basin (central Philippines)
8:45amAljahdali, M.*, Alsuwailem, A., et al., PliocenePleistocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphyof IODP Hole 1396C (adjacent to Montserrat Islandin the Lesser Antilles) and experimentally induced
diagenesis
9:00amFlores, J.-A., Balestra, B., et al., Preliminary Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil biostratgraphy for IODP
Site 1385 (Shackleton Site)
9:15amBarbarin, N., Beaufort, L., et al., Automated recognition of calcareous nannofossils: an application for
quantitative biostratigraphy

9:45amAgbali, A., Avery, A., et al., Reconstruction of calcareous nannoplankton assemblages present along theFlorida Continental Margin during the 2010 Macondo
Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
10:00am
Luan, O., Sun, J., and Want, J., Composition anddistribution of living coccolithophores in the Yellow
Sea and East China Sea
10:15am-10:45pm - Morning Coffee Break
10:45am-12:00pm
Biogeography and ecology cont’d
10:45amMalinverno, E., Cerino, F., et al., Seasonal patternsof coccolithophores, silicoflagellates, and ebridiansfrom a coastal time series in the Gulf of Trieste (North
Adriatic Sea)
11:00am
Saavedra-Pellitero, M., Baumann, K.-H., et al.,Biogeographic distribution of living coccolithophores
in the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean
11:15amJin, X.*, Liu, C., and Liang, D.,* Distribution andmalformation of extant coccolithophores in the East
China Sea in summer, 2011
11:30amPeleo-Alampay, A.M., Marquez-Ardiente, D.J.D.*,
et al., Coccolithophore flux in sediment traps from
northern South China Sea
11:45am
Cabarcos, E.*, Flores, J.-A., and Sierro, F.J., What
governs the productivity of coccolithophores in the
Eastern Equatorial Pacific?
12:00pm-1:30pm - Lunch Break
1:30pm- 3:15pm
Biogeography and ecology cont’d
1:30pmAusín, B., Flores, J.-A., et al., High-resolution
analysis of coccolithophore assemblages and SST-Mg/
Ca- derived records in the western Mediterranean Sea
during the Holocene: productivity reconstruction in
an upwelling region

SeSSIoN III – Biogeography and ecology
Chairs: Barbara Balestra and Jose Abel-Flores

1:45pmLópez-Otálvaro, G.-E., Flores, J.-A., et al., Patterns
and mechanisms of calcareous nannoplankton productivity and upwelling in the western Tropical Atlantic:
interplay between the Intertropical Convergence Zone
and the Northern Hemisphere

9:30amVillarosa Garcia, M. and Porter, J.J., The effect of
coccolith shape on coccolithophore fluid dynamics

2:00pmLiang, D.*, Chuanlian, L., and Beaufort, L., Upper
water structure and primary productivity variations

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of the central West Pacific Warm Pool in the last
~380kyr
SeSSIoN IV – Industry and Techniques
Chairs: Alicia Kahn and Jamie Shamrock
2:15pmKadar, A.P., Crespo, S., and Karam, K.A., Middle toUpper Jurassic calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy,
onshore North Kuwait

Coastal to Deep Sea Organizers: Barbara Balestra
and José Abel-Flores (Ric Jordan = alternate)9:00am-11:30am
Nannoconus/Polycostella/Micrantholithus/
Braarudosphaera Group in the Tithonian andBerriasian
Organizer: Richard Howe
11:30am-1:00pm - Lunch Break (USGS Cafeteria)

2:30pmFuertes, M.A.*, Flores, J.-A., and Sierro, F.J., A newtechnique for observing calcareous nannofossils:
Methodology and applications

1:00pm-3:15pm
The Collection and Interpretation of Coccolithophorederived Geochemical Data
Organizer: Tom Dunkley Jones

2:45pmBlaj, T., Cole, S., et al., An industrial revolution: acomparison of industry and research nannofossil
quatitative counting techniques

1:00pm-3:15pm
Reticulofenestrid Taxonomy
Organizer: Eric de Kaenel

3:00pmShamrock, J.L., Munoz, E., and Carter, J.H., An
improved sample preparation technique for calcareous
nannofossils in organic-rich mudstones
3:15pm-3:45pm - Afternoon Coffee Break
3:45pm-5:00pm
Industry and Techniques cont’d
3:45pmWeber, R.D., Febo, L., et al., Integrated geochronology: how microscopic fossils influence the designof deepwater production facilities
4:00pmScheuth, J.*, Keller, K., et al., The Probable Datum
Method (PDM): a statistical technique for determining the true age of nannoplankton origination or
extinction
4:15pmSheldon, E., Ineson, J., et al., Nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoecology of the Danish Lower Cretaceous reservoir chalks (Tuxen and Sola Formations)
4:30pmCachão, M., Robust biostratigraphers’s “feeling”:
multivariate ecostratigraphy biosteering (MEB)
4:45pmde Gama, R., A review of late Oligocene to midMiocene sphenolithids from DSDP Leg 94, Site 608
and DSDP Leg 25, Site 242
Wednesday
September 18thSeptember 18th
Wednesday
WoRKSHopS ANd pleNARy TAlK AT THe US
GeoloGIcAl SURVey
9:00am-11:30am
Perspectives in Coccolithophore Biogeography: From

3:30pm-4:15pm
Plenary Talk: Dr. Barney Balch, The Great Calcite
Belt-Read My Liths!
6:30pm-10:30pm
Conference Dinner: Sunset Hills Winery, catered by
Magnolia’s at the Mill **Buses leave at 5:30pm fromthe Sheraton Hotel**ThursdayThursday
September 19thSeptember 19th
8:15am-10:15am SeSSIoN V environmental controls on coccolithophore
Calcification
Chairs: Tom Dunkley Jones and Baptiste Suchéras-Marx
8:15amCachão, M., Coccolithophore response to cadmium –preliminary results from Project Cd-ToxCoN
8:30amŠupraha, L.*, Gerecht, A., et al., Is phosphate availability significant to the morphological diversity
within Helicosphaera carteri?
8:45amGerecht, A., Šupraha, L.*, et al., Phosphorus limitation does not change the ratio of calcite to organiccarbon in Coccolithus spp.
9:00amYoung, J.R., and Tyrell, T., Cruise-based multi-factorial investigation of the impact of ocean acidificationon the pelagic biosphere9:15amBeaufort, L., de Garidel-Thoron, T., et al., Recent
decline in pelagic calcification offshore of the Sepik
River in the Western Pacific Warm Pool
9:30amMeier, K.J.S., Bauke, C., and Kinkel, H., Coccolith

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calcification changes during glacial terminations in
the North Atlantic Oceanof cold and warm water nannoflora from Jaisalmer,
western India and its paleobiogeographic implications

9:45amBordiga, M., Cobianchi, M., et al., Calcareous nannofossil contribution to carbonate export during the last
450 ka in the NW Pacific Ocean (Shatsky Rise)

1:45pmBralower, T.J., Schueth, J., and Jiang, S., Extinction
risk of phytoplankton species to potential killingmechanisms at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary

10:00amO’Dea, S.A., Gibbs, S.J., et al., A cellular perspective
on coccolithophore growth and biomineralization at
the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

2:00pmKulhanek, D.K., Taylor, M.J.S., et al., Calcareous
nannofossils tie organic-rich sedimentation in the SW
Pacific to an early late Paleocene climatic event

10:15am-10:45pm - Morning Coffee Break

2:15pmPrentice, K.*, Dunkley Jones, T., et al., The effects ofclimate change on coccolithophore productivity overthe Eocene-Oligocene transition

10:45am-12:15pm
environmental controls on coccolithophore
Calcification cont’d
10:45amFaucher, G.*, Erba, E., and Bottini, C., Life in
extreme oceans: calcareous nannoplankton adaptations and strategies during Oceanic Anoxic Event 2
11:00am
Suchéras-Marx, B., Mattioli, E., et al., History of theoceanic carbonate cycle based on calcareous nannofossil absolute abundance and flux in the past 190
Myr
SeSSIoN VI - enivironments, climate and oceans
Chairs: Mario Cachão and Karl-Heinz Baumann
11:15amBottini, C., Erba, E., et al., Climatic and ecologicalchanges during the Aptian traced by calcareous
nannofossils and oxygen isotopes
11:30amHassanein, W.*, Giraud, F., et al., Paleoenvironmental
conditions during the late Aptian-early Albian in the
Essaouira-Agadir Basin (Morocco): evidence fromsedimentology, calcareous nannofossils, and carbon
and oxygen isotope records
11:45am
Giraud, F., Reboulet, S., et al., The mid-Cenomanian
event in a Tethyan section (Blieux, SE France): integrated stratigraphy and paleoenvironmental conditions
12:00 noon
Linnert, C., Lees, J., et al., Calcareous nannofossilsand Late Cretaceous climate cooling: Campanianthrough Maastrichtian assemblages from the EvansShuqualak borehole (Mississippi)
12:15pm-1:30pm - Lunch Break

2:30pmMartinez-Sanchez, M.*, Flores, J.-A., Sierro, F.J.
et al., Reconstruction of surface-water dynamics at
IODP Site U1314 during the MPT (MISs, 30-19)
based on coccolithphore analyses
2:45pmAmore, F.O., Palumbo, E., et al., High-resolution
coccolithophore analyses in the Atlantic Ocean and in
the Tyrrhenian Sea: paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatic changes during the middle Pleistocene andHolocene
3:00pmÁlvarez, C.M., Cros, L., and Alonso, B., Pleistoceneand Holocene climatic events in the Alboran Sea(western Mediterranean Sea)
3:15pmTriantaphyllou, M.V., Coccolithophore assemblages
during sapropel S1 deposition in the NE Mediterranean Sea: paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic
implications
3:30pm-4:00pm - Afternoon Coffee Break
4:00pm-5:00pm
INA Biannual Business Meeting
Friday September
20thSeptember 20th
Friday7:30amLeave for Post-Conference Field Trip from
Sheraton Hotel
Saturday Saturday
September 21st September 21st

1:30pm-3:15pm
SeSSIoN VI enivironments, climate and oceans cont’d

5:00pmReturn from Post-Conference Field Trip to
Sheraton Hotel

1:30pmSingh, A., and Rai, J., A Late Cretaceous cocktail* - denotes student

INA147KEYNOTE aDDRESS

Datum Chasing Toward an Improved CretaceousTime Scale
brian T. Huber

Department of Paleobiology, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20013 USA

The Cretaceous is the longest Period of the Mesozoic Era(ca. 80 million years) and includes 12 stages that are correlated worldwide. However, only three GSSPs (Global
Stratotypes, Sections and Points) have been ratified(Maastrichtian, Turonian, and Cenomanian bases), one isawaiting final ratification by the IUGS (Santonian base;Olazagutia, N. Spain), one is in review (Coniacian base;Salzgitter-Vistula, N. Germany-Poland), and one proposal
was rejected (Albian base, Tartonne section, France).
There are currently no proposals being considered for theremaining six stage boundaries. The main shortcomingsof the unratified Cretaceous stage boundaries include thetraditional use of macrofossils as key defining criteria,
despite their frequently limited paleogeographic distribution, and emphasis of sections proposed from northern
Europe in epicontinental sea settings. While the goal forcorrelating stratotype sections globally by integrating
micro- and macrofossil biostratigraphies with magnetoand chemostratigraphic events is now widely supported,
progress has been hampered by poor coordination ofresearch efforts and the need for better quality and higher
resolution bio- and chemostratigraphic data.

The greatest refinements to Cretaceous chronostratigraphy have been achieved for the Campanian and Maastrichtian intervals with development of well calibrated
age-depth curves from multiple deep-sea sites, restudyof planktic foraminiferal ranges in the classic magnetostratigraphy section at Gubbio, Italy, and orbital tuning of
high-resolution carbon isotope records from a number ofimportant pelagic chalk sections. Detailed taxonomic andbiostratigraphic studies of exceptionally well-preserved
foraminiferal assemblages from land-based CenomanianCampanian boreholes drilled in coastal Tanzania anddeep-sea sites on Blake Plateau (North Atlantic), Falkland Plateau (South Atlantic), and Shatsky Rise (North
Pacific) have been particularly valuable for recognitionof new Aptian-Campanian foraminiferal bioevents thatcan be globally correlated. Careful integration of planktic
foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil events at theseand other Cretaceous sections, and evaluation of theirreliability for global correlation, is essential to further
improvements in the Cretaceous time scale and establishment of a new basis for defining GSSPs for the remaining
unratified Cretaceous stage boundaries.

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PlENa RY aDDRESSThe Great Calcite belt - “Read my liths!”
William M. balch

Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, E. Boothbay, ME 04544 USA

We have surveyed half the region of the Southern Ocean
known as the Great Calcite Belt (GCB) in the Atlantic
and Indian sectors. The GCB has been known for its
elevated satellite-derived reflectance, but there has been
little information about the coccolithophores that live
in it, controls on growth, or consequences to the carbon
cycle and biogeochemical pump. Microscopy performedon water samples revealed abundant Emiliania huxleyi
off the Patagonian shelf, with increasing numbers of othercoccolithophore species going eastward. GCB coccolithophore features were typically associated with frontal
boundaries, showing seawater pCO2 50-150μatm higher

than non-GCB regions of the Southern Ocean. GCB
waters were usually high-nutrient-low-chlorophyll andcoccolithophore-rich waters of the GCB had increased
calcification rates (>10% of integrated primary production). Three-quarters of shipboard ocean acidification
experiments showed significant declines in coccolithconcentration following exposure to increasing pCO2
(up to 1200 ppm). Dilution experiments hint to a more
complex community response to ocean acidification. The
implications of these results will be discussed relative tothe greater problem of ocean acidification.

INA14INa14 attendees are eligible for 10% discount. Sign up at registration desk.

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Reconstruction of calcareous nannoplankton assemblagespresent along the Florida Continental Margin during the2010 Macondo Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico
aisha agbali
aa09u@my.fsu.edu

aaron avery
aja12b@my.fsu.edu

Jarrett Cruz

jwc09e@my.fsu.edu

Susan Foley

suz32155@gmail.com

Nicholas Myers
hierro75@gmail.com

Sherwood W. Wiseswise@fsu.edu

Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA

Calcareous nannoplankton are important protist constituents of the base of the food chain along the continental
margin off the Florida Panhandle. However, no quantitative studies have been published on their abundanceand seasonal variability in this region. Thus, the effectsof the BP Macondo Oil Spill on these skeletal-bearing
phytoplankton can only be determined by after-the-factmeasurements and comparisons with unpublished data.
We report here preliminary results of a study in progress:

the first step in the reconstruction of nannoplankton populations at the time of the spill. We began monthly samplingin January 2011, along three transects across the shelf of
the Florida Panhandle. We have taken over 1000 samples
through the photic zone, via Niskin-bottle rosettes, fromwhich quantitative nannoplankton census data are being
taken via scanning electron microscopy. Our goal is to use
these data to predict the effects of any future oil spills in
the Gulf of Mexico on calcareous nannoplankton.

INA1411

Pliocene-Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil
biostratigraphy for IODP Site 1396C (adjacent toMontserrat Island in the lesser antilles) andexperimentally induced diagenesis
Mohammed aljahdali*

Department of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Marine Geology Department,
Faculty of Marine Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; ma10u@my.fsu.edu

abdualziz alsuwailem

Coastal & Marine Resources Core Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia; abdulaziz.
alsuwailem@kaust.edu.sa

Zenon batang

Coastal & Marine Resources Core Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia; zenon.
batang@kaust.edu.sa

ali behzad

Advanced Nanofabrication, Imaging, & Characterization Core Laboratory, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal 23955,
Saudi Arabia; ali.behzad@kaust.edu.sa

Thomas Missimer

Water Desalination & Reuse Center, King Abdullah University of Science & Technology, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia; Thomas.Missimer@
kaust.edu.sa

Sherwood Wise

Department of Earth, Ocean, & Atmospheric Science, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; swise@fsu.edu

Expedition, 340 Science Party

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, USIO Science Services, TAMU, College Station, TX 77845, USA

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Site 1396C,
adjacent to Montserrat Island in the Lesser Antilles,
provides a lower Pliocene to Pleistocene record of calcareous nannofossil assemblages (Zones CN11 to CN15).
The nannofossil assemblages are generally common toabundant with moderate preservation in upper Pleistocene
sediments, and very abundant with good preservation inlower Pleistocene to Pliocene sediments. The sequence
was zoned via the Gartner (1977) scheme for the Pleistocene and the Okada & Bukry (1980) zonation for the
Pliocene, using the recent age updates from Backman etal. (2012).
Nannofossil biostratigraphy suggests that there were
low sedimentation rates in the Pleistocene and high sedimentation rates during the Pliocene. This sedimentation pattern was also observed at Site 1000 from Ocean
Drilling Program Leg 165 in the central Caribbean Sea,
which indicates that there was a regional event caused by
the closure of the Central American Seaway.
During the expedition (IODP 340), selected samples
from Sites 1396A and 1396C were used to determine

sediment water content by heating them to 105°C at roompressure for 24 hours. This process produced an abnormal"late diagenesis" effect with severe overgrowth featureson the nannofossils. Further examination of these samples
should provide a better understanding of the progression
in carbonate diagenesis in cases of high temperatures.
References
Backman, J., Raffi, I., Rio, D., Fornaciari, E., & Palike,
H. 2012. Biozonation and biochronology of Miocene
through Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils from low
and middle latitudes. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 45:
221-224.
Gartner, S. 1977. Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and revised zonation of the Pleistocene. Marine
Micropaleontology, 2: 1-25.
Okada, H. & Bukry, D. 1980. Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers to the low-latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973;1975). Marine Micropaleontology, 5(3): 321-325.

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Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of oil shales from
central Jordan
Mohammad alqudah*Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Geophysik, 44801 Bochum, Germany; mohammad.alqudah@rub.de

Joerg Mutterlose

Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Geophysik, 44801 Bochum, Germany; Joerg.mutterlose@rub.de

Olaf Podlaha

Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Projects & Technology, Rijswijk, Netherlands; olaf.podlaha@shell.com

Sadat F. Kolonic

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Port Harcourt, Nigeria; Sadat.kolonic@shell.com

Total organic carbon (TOC) -rich marls of Cretaceous age
are widespread throughout Jordan and adjoining areas.
Based on foraminifera (Futyan, 1976; Yassini, 1979),
these oil shales have previously been assigned a lateCampanian-Paleocene age. A total of 214 smear slides
from two sections in central Jordan were investigatedfor calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy by using lightmicroscopy. These new findings suggest a much more
restricted age range for deposition of the oil shales than
was previously thought. The oil shales that were studied
contain abundant calcareous nannofossils of Maastrichtian age, but also contain taxa of Eocene age. The occurrence of Discoaster sublodoensis, Nannotetrina quadrata,
and Discoaster bifax gives these strata an early to middle
Eocene age, while the Cretaceous forms indicate major
reworking. The Cretaceous taxa reflect either subaerial
erosive input from the hinterland or submarine reworkingof Cretaceous strata within the basin itself.

References
Futyan, A.I. 1976. Late Mesozoic and Early Cainozoic
benthic foraminifera from Jordan. Paleontology,
19(3): 517-537.
Yassini, I. 1979. Maestrichtian-lower Eocene biostratigraphy and the planktonic foraminiferal biozonation in
Jordan. Revista Espaňola de Micropaleontología, 11,
5-57.

INA1413

Pleistocene and Holocene climatic events in the alboran
Sea (western Mediterranean Sea)
M. Carmen Álvarez

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), 8860 Manzanillo, México; carmen.alvagar@gmail.com

luïsa Cros

Instituto de Ciencias del Mar, (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; lcrosmiguel@gmail.com

belén alonsoInstituto de Ciencias del Mar, (CSIC), 08003 Barcelona, Spain; belen@icm.csic.es

Coccolith abundance, stratigraphy, and geophysical datafrom the ALM6 gravity core, located in the Alboran
Sea (Almeria margin, 36.35°N 2.61°W, 1456 m), wereanalyzed in order to observe possible climate variability
during the last 20 ka. Five turbidite events were identified in the ALM6 core. Four turbidites were located in
the Pleistocene part of the core, and the most recent turbidite was at the top of the core. No clear correlation wasobserved between coccolith abundance and the presenceof the turbidites.
We recognized some climatic events, primarily basedon the total abundance of the coccolith assemblage and theabundance of Oolithotus fragilis, which was reported asa warm-water and oligotrophic taxa (Okada & McIntyre,1979). The most significant events were the cold Younger
Dryas (YD) event and an additional cool event at 8.2 ka.
Among the warm events, deglaciation terminations, theHolocene hypsithermal period, and the event at 3.2 ka
were recognized.
The most significant occurrences of high coccolithabundances were observed at 7.5 ka and 3.2 ka. The 7.5
ka occurrences could be related to the “Hypsithermal”
period in the Holocene (Boudreau et al., 2001), and the
3.2 ka occurrences could be indicative of drier and cooler
conditions (Lee-Thorp et al., 2001). Two other periods ofhigh nannofossil abundances occurred in the lower partof the core and could be related to earlier warm periods
associated with deglaciation terminations.
The lowest values in total abundance occurred during
the Pleistocene. Moreover, two other low abundanceintervals could be identified using the abundance of O.
fragilis. One of them was located at 11.5 ka, which coincides with the Younger Dryas, and the other was at 8.2 ka(de Menorcal et al., 2000).
References
Boudreau, R.E.A., Patterson, R.T., Dalby, A.P. & McKillop, W.B. 2001. Non-marine occurrence of the foraminifer Cribroelphidium gunteri in northern Lake
Winnipegosis, Manitoba, Canada. Journal of Foraminiferal Research, 31(2): 108-119.
de Menorcal, P., Ortiz, J., Guilderson, T. & Sarnthein, M.
2000. Coherent high- and low-latitude climate variability during the Holocene Warm Period. Science,
228: 2198-2202.
Lee-Thorp, J.A., Holmgren, K., Lauritzen, S.E., Linge,
H., Moberg, A., Partridge, T.C., Stevenson, C. &Tyson, P.D. 2001. Rapid climate shifts in the southern
African interior throughout the mid to late Holocene.
Geophysical Research Letters, 28(23): 4507-4510.
Okada, H. & McIntyre, A. 1979. Seasonal distribution ofmodern coccolithophores in the western North Atlantic Ocean. Marine Biology, 54: 319-328.

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High-resolution coccolithophore analyses in the atlantic
Ocean and in the Tyrrhenian Sea: paleoenvironmental andpaleoclimatic changes during the middle Pleistocene andHoloceneF. Ornella amore

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento, Italy; f.amore@unisannio.it

Eliana Palumbo

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento, Italy; elianapalumbo@libero.it

Dario Emanuele

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento, Italy; emdario@unisannio.it

José-a. Flores

Departamento de Geologίa, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Harry Elderfield

Department of Earth Sciences, Godwin Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; harrye@esc.cam.ac.uk

Carmen Perugia

Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Benevento, Italy; cperugia@unisannio.it

Zaccaria Petrillo

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, sezione di Napoli, Naples, Italy; zaccaria.petrillo@ov.ingv.it

High-resolution coccolithophore analyses of sedimentcores in the Atlantic Ocean (Amore et al., 2012; Palumbo
et al., 2013a, b) and the Mediterranean Sea (Amore et al.,2004) have been carried out. Comparison between theseareas improves the knowledge of global and local climatechange that occurred at different time scales during the
middle Pleistocene to Holocene. Reconstructions of watermass variability and paleoproductivity patterns were
performed in order to identify paleoenvironmental andpaleoclimatic changes. In the time interval from 535 to
300 ka (Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13/14 boundary to
MIS 9), analyses highlighted the occurrence of climaticand paleoceanographic variability on precessional timescales that are superimposed on well-known long-termchanges. These climatic variations are related to changes
in regional surface-water circulation patterns and to themigration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone and the
Azores High Pressure System. A similar evolution was
also observed during MIS 18/19 and in the last 24 ka.
Furthermore, millennial-scale oscillations and changes
in paleoproductivity were also recognized during MIS
19, MIS 11, and MIS 1. Comparison of these interglacial
events improved the understanding of global climatic
dynamics, thus providing new insights on future climate
evolution.

References
Amore, F.O., Caffau, M., Massa, B. & Morabito, S. 2004.
Late Pleistocene-Holocene paleoclimate and related
paleoenvironmental changes as recorded by calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera assemblages in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Cape Palinuro,Italy). Marine Micropaleontolgy, 52: 255-276.
Amore, F.O., Flores, J.A., Voelker, A.H.L., Lebreiro,
S.M., Palumbo, E. & Sierro, F.J. 2012. A middle Pleistocene Northeast Atlantic coccolithophore record:
paleoclimatology and paleoproductivity aspects.
Marine Micropaleontology, 90-91: 44–59.
Palumbo, E., Flores, J.A., Perugia, C., Emanuele, D.,
Petrillo, Z., Rodrigues, T., Voelker, A.H.L. & Amore,
F.O. 2013a. Abrupt variability of the last 24 ka BP
recorded by coccolithophore assemblages off the Iberian Margin (core MD03-2699). Journal of Quaternary Science, 28(3): 320–328.
Palumbo, E., Flores, J.A., Perugia, C., Petrillo, Z.,
Voelker, A.H.L. & Amore, F.O. 2013b. Millennial
scale coccolithophore paleoproductivity and surface
water changes between 445 and 360 ka (Marine Isotope Stages 12/11) in the Northeast Atlantic. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 383–
384: 27–41.

INA14

15

Climate variability at the North aegean Sea (eastern
Mediterranean Sea) during the last two millennia:
coccolithophore evidence
Mary athanasiou

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 157 84 Athens, Greece; mairyatha@geol.uoa.gr

Margarita D. Dimiza

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 157 84 Athens, Greece; mdimiza@geol.uoa.gr

Maria v. Triantaphyllou

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 157 84 Athens, Greece; mairyatha@geol.uoa.gr

alexandra Gogou

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 190 13 Anavyssos, Greece; agogou@ath.hcmr.gr

Ioanna bouloubassi

Laboratoire d’Océanographie et du Climat, Expérimentation et Approche Numérique, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France; ioanna.
bouloubassi@upmc.fr

Costa Parinos

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 190 13 Anavyssos, Greece; ksparinos@hcmr.gr

Grigorios Rousakis

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 190 13 Anavyssos, Greece; rousakis@ath.hcmr.gr

Eua Thanasoura

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis, 157 84 Athens, Greece; euathan@hotmail.com

vasilios lykousis

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Oceanography, 190 13 Anavyssos, Greece; vlikou@ath.hcmr.gr

We present the first high-resolution record of climate
variability and ecosystem response in the sensitive areaof the North Aegean (eastern Mediterranean Sea) for thelast two millennia. A core that was retrieved from theNorth Aegean Sea (M2: 40º05'N 24º32'E, 1018 m) was
sectioned at 0.5-cm intervals and dated using 210Pb andradiocarbon techniques. Past sea surface temperatures(SSTs) were reconstructed using the alkenone unsaturation index (Uk'37), while water column stratification andnet primary production were evaluated from coccolithophore indices.
During the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA;
900-1250 AD), higher values of Florisphaera profunda
and Braarudosphaera bigelowii supported the establishment of low-salinity, stratified waters and the onset of anutrient-rich environment in the deep photic zone. The
onset of the MCA is characterized by a marked increase
in SST (1.1ºC) that averages 16.3º C during this period.
The SST record reveals significant variability withmarked cool and warm intervals. Interestingly, the onsetof the Little Ice Age (LIA) (~1250 AD) is marked by anincremental increase in SST, and values reached as highas 19.5ºC in approximately the mid 1600’s. In agreementwith SST trends, the increased coccolithophore stratification (S) index between ~1350-1650 AD points to increased
development of the Deep Chlorophyll Maximum and asubsequent increase in Florisphaera profunda.
After a sharp decrease in the SST at approximately 1700
AD, the last three centuries indicate rising SST by about
0.6ºC/100 yrs. This trend is accompanied by a prominent
increase in warm coccolithophore species (Discosphaera
tubifera, Rhabdosphaera clavigera, Calciosolenia spp.,
Umbellosphaera tenuis, Pontosphaera spp., and Syracosphaera spp.). In the colder phase of the LIA (~1700
AD, Maunder solar minimum), stratification decreased,
and productivity increased due probably to enhanced
winter mixing conditions, following SST minima. Finally,
during the Instrumental Period (IP; 1850-2010 AD), SST
rose significantly, drastically impacting algal productivity
in the euphotic zone, primarily represented by Emiliania
huxleyi and Rhabdosphaera spp.

16

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The Order Discoasterales—taxonomy and phylogenetic
reconstruction
Marie-Pierre aubry
aubry@rci.rutgers.edu

David bord*davebord@yahoo.com
Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, N J 08554, USA

Coccolithophores play a determinant role in our quest
for understanding the modes, tempo, and causes of the
major events that have punctuated Earth history. This
understanding necessitates a sound documentation ofevolutionary patterns, which can only be achieved via asound approach to taxonomy. Molecular biology has validated the morphostructural approach to coccolithophoretaxonomy, which lends strong support to the classificationof the Cenozoic coccolithophores into five extant and fiveextinct orders, and 46 families (including Incertae Sedis)(Aubry, 2013-2015). We are extending this approachto the Mesozoic coccolithophores, which shows that,
contrary to current understanding, all Cenozoic orders
originated in the early Mesozoic whereas several Mesozoic orders became extinct in the Late Cretaceous. We
discuss here the Order Discoasterales that has regroupeda myriad of unrelated genera since its introduction by Hay(1977) and despite Prins’ earlier determination (1971) of
the Mesozoic origin of the order and his documentationof the Paleocene diversification of the most prominent
genera of the order (e.g., Sphenolithus, Fasciculithus[s.l.], and Discoaster [s.l.]). Biantholithus is a pivotal
genus in the evolutionary history of the Discoasterales,from which the Cenozoic lineages can be seen to sequentially evolve at the same time as the Mesozoic lineages
can be reconstructed backward in time. The term coccolith has rarely been used in reference to the Discoasterales
although it is easy to determine how a typical Mesozoic
coccolith was transformed into a nannolith (a superfluous
term, at least with reference to the Order Discoasterales).
This, plus the Biantholithus coccosphere, firmly places
the Discoasterales among the coccolithophores. Theircoccoliths are heterococcoliths, consisting of up to threestructural units composed of elements arranged in cycles.
Mesozoic Discoasterales diversified along several lines,
producing generally short-lived lineages. In contrast,
Cenozoic Discoasterales diversified into two long-lived
major lineages that diverged across the early-middle
Paleocene boundary, beginning in the latest Danian. The
forcing mechanisms that resulted in generic and species
diversification are explained in terms of mixotrophic
physiology (Aubry, 2009; Aubry et al., 2012).
References
Aubry, M.-P. 2009. A sea of Lilliputians. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 284(1-2):
88-113. 10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.08.020.
Aubry, M.-P. 2013-2015. Cenozoic coccolithophores.
New York: Micropaleontology Press. Atlas of Micropaleontology series. CC-D: Braarudosphaerales,
2013 (published), 327pp.
Aubry, M.-P., Rodriguez, O., Bord, D.*, Godfrey, L.,
Schmitz, B. and Knox, R.W.O’. B. 2012. The firstradiation of the fasciculiths: morphologic adaptationsof the coccolithophores to oligotrophy. Austrian Journal of Earth Sciences, 105(1): 29-38.
Hay, W.W. 1977. Calcareous nannofossils. In: A.T.S.
Ramsay (Ed). Oceanic micropaleontology. Academic
Press, London: 2: 1055-1200.
Prins, B. 1971. Speculations on relations, evolution, andstratigraphic distribution of discoasters. In: A. Farinacci (Ed). Proceedings of the II Planktonic Conference, Roma, 1970, 1: 1017-1037. Rome: Edizione
Tecnoscienza.

INA1417

High-resolution reconstruction of productivity using
coccolithophores in two sites in the alboran Sea(Western Mediterranean Sea) during the last 25 kyr
blanca ausín*

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; b_ausin@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.es

Isabel Cacho

Department of Stratigraphy, Paleontology & Marine Geosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; icacho@ub.edu

Guillermo FrancésDepartment of Marine Geosciences, University of Vigo, Vigo, Spain; gfrances@uvigo.es

North Atlantic Surface Water (NASW) entering theAlboran Sea (western Mediterranean Sea) promotes theformation of two anticyclonic gyres. On the northernedges of these gyres are semi-permanent areas of
upwelling (Sarhan et al., 2000). Outside these productive
cells, the western Mediterranean is generally characterized by oligotrophy.
A high-resolution analysis of the coccolithophore
assemblages in 450 samples from the last 25 kyr was
performed on two marine cores located at both sides (Nand S) of the Alboran Basin. This study reconstructed thepaleoproductivity record in two strategic locations, whichthen could be compared to well-known present productivity: core HER-GC-T1 off the coast of Malaga and core
CEUTA10-PC8 off the coast of Ceuta. The first study
area is currently in the productive cell associated with
the Western Anticyclone Gyre (WAG) called the Malaga
upwelling (Bárcena & Abrantes, 1998). The second coreis further south, outside of this productive area.
Comparison between the nannofossil accumulation
rates (NAR) in these two areas reveals that productivity
was lower in Malaga than in Ceuta from 25 kyr until the
Heinrich Event 1. This difference occurs at two intervals
in both cores: the first one centered at 18.8 ka cal. BP,
and the second one, which was centered at 16 ka cal. BP,

was colder. From this time to the mid-to late-Holocene,both sites approached present conditions: HER-GC-T1
core location became a semi-permanent productive cell,while oligotrophy affected the CEUTA10-PC8 study area.
This general pattern was interrupted by an abrupt increasein the total NAR in both cores that peaked at 9.3 ka cal.
BP in CEUTA10-PC8 and at 7.4 ka cal. BP in HER-GCT1, indicating periods of higher productivity. The forcing
mechanisms for these two events remain unclear. Interestingly, every taxon records these conspicuous changes
in their NAR, independently of their paleoecologicalrequirements. This fact suggests that further research isneeded in order to unravel the mechanisms involved inthese short-term productivity variations.

References
Bárcena, M.A. & Abrantes, F. 1998. Evidence of a highproductivity area off the coast of Malaga from studies
of diatoms in surface sediments. Marine Micropaleontology, 35: 91-103.
Sarhan, T., Garcia Lafuente, J., Vargas, M., Vargas, J. &Plaza, F. 2000. Upwelling mechanisms in the northwestern Alboran Sea. Journal of Marine Systems, 23:317-331.

18

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High-resolution analysis of coccolithophore assemblages
and SST-Mg/Ca-derived records in the western
Mediterranean Sea during the Holocene: productivity
reconstruction in an upwelling region
blanca ausín*

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Spain; b_ausin@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco-J. Sierro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.es

Ivan Hernández-almeida

Institute of Geography & Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Bern, Switzerland; ivan.hernandez@giub.unibe.chIsabel Cacho

Department of Stratigraphy, Paleontology & Marine Geosciences, University of Barcelona, Spain; icacho@ub.edu

Gravity core HER-GC-T1 was recovered in coastal
upwelling off Malaga, a productive cell associated with
the Western Anticyclonic Gyre in the Alboran Sea. The
core is located where there is a direct influence from
North Atlantic Surface Water (NASW) entering the area,
the Atlantic Jet (AJ), while Western Mediterranean Deep
Waters (WMDW) flow underneath in the opposite direction. Holocene productivity at this location was reconstructed by studying the coccolithophore assemblage in
93 samples with a time resolution of ~130 years. From
this record, a drastic hydrographic reorganization in the
Alboran Sea was inferred at 7.7 ka cal BP and linked to theestablishment of anticyclonic gyres. From that time, theNannofossil Accumulation Rate (NAR) of Florisphaera
profunda and Gephyrocapsa oceanica has been linked to
the volume of AJ water entering the Alboran Sea. In addition, the N ratio (relationship between the upper photic
and lower photic zone coccolithophore taxa) and the NARof the species Florisphaera profunda show an alternation
between upwelling pulses and stratification episodes ofhundreds of years in the mid-to late-Holocene. The relative abundance of reworked coccoliths, used here as anindicator of terrigenous input from exposed continental
margins, points to more arid conditions when upwelling
events occurred. Along with these records, the sea surface
temperature (SST)-Mg/Ca-derived record shows a positive relationship between drops in SST and upwelling
pulses. Finally, comparisons between these short-term
episodes in the study area with those of WMDW formation (Frigola et al., 2007) in the Gulf of Lion are in good
agreement. This fact shows that an increase in WMDW
formation, which is promoted by stronger westerlies
blowing in the Gulf of Lion, could be related to upwelling
pulses off the coast of Malaga. An as yet unknown mecha-

nism akin to the present North Atlantic Oscillation could
have been operating over the western Mediterranean Sea,
influencing its past productivity on a millennial-centennial time scale. Two potential climatic and oceanographic
scenarios are proposed to explain these variations in
productivity during the mid-to late Holocene in the study
area:A) A one-to-one match between increasing N index
trends, low NAR of Florisphaera profunda, high relative abundance of reworked coccoliths, and drops in
SST-Mg/Ca is interpreted as follows: a positive NAO-likeindex (higher pressure gradient between Icelandic-low
and Azores-high) led to strong westerlies, increasing theformation of WMDW in the Gulf of Lion, which was thenassociated with shoaling of the nutricline. This, alongwith a major AJ, would favor vertical mixing and longterm upwelling events in the study area.
B) The positive correlation among decreasing N index
trends, high NAR of Florisphaera profunda, low relative
abundance of reworked coccoliths, and rises in SST-Mg/
Ca was linked to a negative NAO-like index (lower pressure gradient). This would correspond to weaker westerlies that promoted a weakening of WMDW formation.
This, along with a lesser and warmer AJ influx, led to a
deepening of the nutricline and long-term stratification
events.
Reference
Frigola, J., Moreno, A., Cacho, I., Canals, M., Sierro, F.J.,
Flores, J.-A., Grimalt, J.O., Hodell, D.A. & Curtis,
J.H. 2007. Holocene climate variability in the western Mediterranean region from a deepwater sedimentrecord. Paleoceanography, 22: PA2209.

INA1419

living and fossil coccolithophore communities in the West
Iberia margin and Gulf of Cadiz (IODP Expedition 339):
oceanographic and environmental controls
barbara balestra

University of California Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Science, Santa Cruz, CA, USA; balestrabb@gmail.com

José-a. Flores

University of Salamanca, Department of Geology, Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Patrick Grunert

University of Graz, Institute for Earth Sciences, Graz, Austria; patrick.grunert@uni-graz

David Hodell

University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge, UK; dhod07@esc.cam.ac.uk

Carlos alvarez-Zarikian

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program & Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA;zarikian@iodp.tamu.edu

Francisco J. Hernández-Molina

Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK

Dorrik a.v. Stow

Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; dorrik.stow@pet.hw.ac.uk

IODP Expedition 339 Scientists:

Acton, G., Bahr, A., Ducassou. E., Flood, R., Furota, S., Jimenez-Espejo, F., Kim, J. K., Krissek, L., Kuroda, J., Li, B., Llave, E., Lofi, J.,
Lourens, L., Miller, M., Nanayama, F., Nishida, N., Richter, C., Roque, C., Sanchez Goñi, M., Sierro Sanchez, F., Singh, A., Sloss, C., Takashimizu, Y., Tzanova, A., Voelker, A., Williams, T., Xuan, C.

For the first time during an IODP Expedition (Exp. 339,
Mediterranean Outflow), water samples were collected
to examine living coccolithophore distributions, andmudline samples were collected to determine coccolithassemblages in the underlying surface sediments. The
idea was to provide additional information about living
coccolithophores as potential proxies in paleoceanographic studies. Expedition IODP 339 was conducted in
the Gulf of Cadiz and coastal areas off West Iberia (Northeast Atlantic) to explore the effects of Mediterranean
Outflow Water (MOW) on North Atlantic circulation andclimate from November 2011 to January 2012. Fourteen
water samples were gathered from seven cored sites at
two depths (5 and 20 m), immediately filtered onboard
through cellulose acetate filters, and then oven-dried andstored in petri dishes. Temperature and salinity data were
simultaneously collected, as well as water samples foroxygen isotope analysis. Mudline samples were preparedonboard for both relative and absolute coccolith counts.
Additionally, reworked coccoliths were also considered inorder to analyze the potential relationship with deep- andbottom-water dynamics. Coccolithophore absolute abundances ranged from 1.87x104 to 1.04x105 cell/l. Species
richness was consistently high, and assemblages were
dominated by Emiliania huxleyi, Gephyrocapsa small,and Gephyrocapsa oceanica. However, coccolithophore
distributions showed spatial variations, as well as variable
species diversity, in the different site locations. In partic-

ular, the assemblages that characterize the West Iberia
Margin differ from that of the Gulf of Cadiz, showing theexistence of oceanographic and environmental controlson the distribution of the communities. Comparison of theliving assemblage with surface sediment records showedsignificant differences in the presence and abundance ofsome species, especially at sites U1390 and U1391. In
particular, Coccolithus pelagicus was common in the sediment at those sites but absent in all the water stations. In
the other site locations, the fossil record matches the watercolumn assemblages, suggesting more open-sea conditions where inorganic input and reworked species are lessimportant. Surprisingly, in one site, U1388, there were
no coccoliths in the sediment, but abundant coccolithophores in the water column. This could indicate different
sedimentary processes, related to both the Atlantic water
masses or the MOW, which is characterized here by ahigher velocity current (up to 280 cm /s), and thus may
have prevented sedimentation of the coccoliths at thislocation. However, loss of specimens during the drilling
due to instrumental effects cannot be excluded.
Future work will include the integration of the coccolithophore results with the benthic foraminifer communities in the mudline samples, the Mg/Ca-Sr/Ca ratios,
and the geochemical signal of the pore water. Integration of these data will lead to a better understanding of
the surface and deep-water dynamics for the most recent
climatic cycle in the Expedition 339 investigation area.

20

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automated recognition of calcareous nannofossils: an application for quantitative biostratigraphy
Nicolas barbarin

CNRS-CEREGE, UMR 6635, BP 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France; barbarin@cerege.fr

luc beaufort

CNRS-CEREGE, UMR 6635, BP 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France; beaufort@cerege.fr

Yves Gally

CNRS-CEREGE, UMR 6635, BP 80, 13545 Aix-en-Provence, France; gally@cerege.fr

Jean-Marc Moron

TOTAL, Centre Scientifique et Technique Jean-Féger, 64018 Pau, France; jean-marc.moron@total.com

Calcareous nannofossils are excellent biomarkers because
they are well diversified through geologic time and sensitive to climatic changes. Their rapid evolution and abundance variations make them ideal for biostratigraphy andpaleoceanographic reconstructions. This work is usually
tedious, but this can be conducted in a much shorter
period of time through the use of automated recognition
software that can detect relevant specimens in a large
number of non-coccolith microscopic objects. The newautomated system SYRACO (SYstème de Reconnaissance Automatisée des Coccolithes) (Dollfus & Beaufort,
1999; Beaufort & Dollfus, 2004) is now able to detect
most of the coccoliths belonging to thousands of species
that have evolved since the upper Eocene. The system isable to filter out approximately 90% of non-nannofossils
and keep between 75-90% of the nannofossils. It is able
to lump detected images and measurements in about 30
classes. After showing the potential and limits of thismethod, we will present two examples of biostratigraphic
applications to the upper Pleistocene and two covering thelast 3 Ma: the MD052930 core from the last 800 kyr in
the Gulf of Papua, the GOLODRILL core from the last
500 kyr in the Mediterranean Sea east of Corsica, and theMD972125 and MD962066 cores from the last 3 Ma in
the Tasmanian Sea and the Mozambique Channel, respectively. The results give a good estimation of abundancesof the main taxonomic groups that are used to highlightevolution and paleoecologic and climatic events. They
quickly produce a biozonation and datums that constrain
the temporal resolution of the cores.

References
Beaufort, L. & Dollfus, D. 2004. Automatic recognitionof coccoliths by dynamical neural networks. Marine
Micropaleontology, 51(1-2): 57-73.
Dollfus, D. & Beaufort, L. 1999. Fat neural network forrecognition of position-normalised objects. Neural
Networks, 12(3): 553-560.

INA1421

The badenian-Sarmatian boundary in the Getic
Depression: preliminary results of integratingbiostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy
Miloš bartol

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; milos.bartol@geo.uu.se

Maria Tulbure

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; M.A.Tulbure@uu.nl

Dan Palcu

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; dan.palcu@gmail.com

Wout Krijgsman

Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands; W.Krijgsman@uu.nl

At present, the stratigraphic correlation of middle
Miocene regional Central Paratethys chronostratigraphic
stages with standard chronostratigraphic stages, magnetostratigraphic polarity units, and biostratigraphic zonations
is imprecise and needs to be refined. Here, we present the
preliminary results of an integrated stratigraphic study(calcareous nannoplankton, planktonic and benthic foraminifera, and magnetostratigraphy) of middle Miocene
sediments that crop out in four land sections in the Getic
Depression in Romania. Specifically, we are aiming todetermine the biostratigraphic and magnetostratigraphic
events at the boundary between the regional chronostratigraphic stages of the Badenian and Sarmatian (early
Serravallian). Combining micropaleontological analyses of foraminifera and nannoplankton will refine thebiostratigraphic resolution. It will also allow us to associate the changes observed in nannoplankton assemblages
with definite environmental changes, which will improve
our understanding of the paleoecological preferences ofindividual taxa.
The four land sections considered (Tisei, Salcia,
Morilor, and Cosmina Valleys) are successions ofprimarily marlstones with lesser amounts of claystones
and siltstones and a few intercalated tuff layers that allow
lithostratigraphic correlation. The foraminiferal associations indicate a deep-water environment with short periodsof restricted water circulation in the late Badenian, significant environmental changes at the Badenian-Sarmatianboundary, and anoxic conditions in the early Sarmatian.
The nannoplankton assemblages underwent considerable
changes at the Badenian-Sarmatian boundary, particularly

in terms of abundances of individual taxa. A transitional
increase in the proportion of redeposited coccoliths canbe detected at the boundary level, and slightly above
this there is a distinct peak in abundance of Calcidiscus
pataecus, which increases from being less than 1% toabout 10% of the assemblage.
The species composition of the studied nannoplankton
assemblages is similar to that reported for the sametime period by Mărunţeanu (1999) and Galović (2009).
However, the biostratigraphic ranges of certain species
appear to be somewhat different.
In the current state of our research, it appears thatthe most reliable nannoplankton event at the base of
the Sarmatian is the peak in abundance of Calcidiscus
pataecus. The shifts in abundance of other coccolith
species observed in the study material and reported inliterature (Galović, 2009) are consistent with significant
environmental changes taking place during this timeinterval, so they appear to be linked to particular environments and probably cannot be used as reliable biostratigraphic markers over long distances.
ReferencesMărunţeanu, M. 1999. Litho- and biostratigraphy (calcareous nannoplankton) of the Miocene deposits from theOuter Moldavides. Geologica Carpathica, 50: 313324.
Galović, I. 2009. Middle Miocene (Sarmatian) calcareous nannoplankton, silicoflagellates and diatoms of
the southwestern part of the Paratethys. PhD thesis,
University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana: 210pp.

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biogeography and ecology of Calcidiscus and Umbilicosphaera in the South atlantic
Karl-Heinz baumann

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; baumann@uni-bremen.debabette böckel

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; Wietze Laboratory, Geosciences, 29323 Wietze, Germany;
Babette.Boeckel@rwe.com

Carola Ott

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; ott@uni-bremen.deMariem Saavedra Pellitero

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; msaavedr@uni-bremen.de

Research based on genetic divergences, life cycles, andmorphometrics (Sáez et al., 2003; Geisen et al., 2004;
Quinn et al., 2004) has indicated that some coccolithophore
species with apparent global distribution are composed of
two or more discrete species with subtle morphologicaldifferences. However, their discrete ecological adaptations and distributions are still only partly known. We
present here the biogeographic distribution patterns andecological information for five coccolithophorid species(Calcidiscus leptoporus, C. leptoporus small, C. quadriperforatus, Umbilicosphaera foliosa, and U. sibogae). The
mapping is entirely based on surface sediments from theSouth Atlantic, and sediment trap data from this region
are added for morphometric evaluation of the species.
The three Calcidiscus species can easily be distinguished by a combination of size and qualitative characters of the distal shield. Primarily encountered in thetemperate to sub-polar regions, Calcidiscus leptoporus
exhibited a negative correlation to temperature and tosalinity. However, a positive response to nitrate and phosphate concentrations was detected. Its strong preference
for highly dynamic environments is therefore emphasized by the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). In
contrast, both C. leptoporus small and large C. quadriperforatus were mainly found in warm, more oligotrophic
South Atlantic waters.
Two round Umbilicosphaera species were distinguished, largely based on coccosphere characters.
However, the two species do exhibit significant differences in coccolith morphology and show only little

overlap in size. The highest numbers in the South Atlantic
were encountered mainly in subtropical latitudes and were
due primarily to U. sibogae. In contrast, abundances of
U. foliosa were only significant in the cold and nutrientenriched Benguela upwelling. The distribution pattern of
U. foliosa confirms the results of earlier studies that show
a weak trend towards higher proportions in environmentswith greater availability of nutrients. In contrast, the morecommon U. sibogae primarily occurs under rather oligotrophic conditions.
References
Geisen, M., Young, J.R., Probert, I., Garcia Sáez, A.,
Baumann, K.-H., Bollmann, J., Cros, L., De Vargas,
C., Medlin, L.K. & Sprengel, C. 2004. Species levelvariation in coccolithophores. In: H.R. Thierstein &J.R. Young (Eds). Coccolithophores – from molecular
processes to global impact. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg: 327-366.
Quinn, P.S., Garcia Sáez, A., Baumann, K.-H., Steel,
B.A., Sprengel, C. & Geisen, M. 2004. Coccolithophorid biodiversity: evidence from the cosmopolitan
species Calcidiscus leptoporus. In: H.R. Thierstein &J.R. Young (Eds). Coccolithophores – from molecular
processes to global impact. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg: 299-326.
Sáez, A.G., Probert, I., Geisen, M., Quinn, P., Young, J.R.
& Medlin, L.K. 2003. Pseudo-cryptic speciation incoccolithophores. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, 100: 7163–7168.

INA1423

Coccolithophores in the Eastern boundary Current System
off NW africa: response to abrupt climate events during
the last 45,000 years
Karl-Heinz baumann

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; baumann@uni-bremen.deHelge Meggers

Alfred Wegener Institute, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany; meggers@awi.de

The Eastern Boundary Current region off NW Africa ischaracterized by southward transport of comparatively
cold surface water within the Canary Current. In addition,
coastal upwelling of cold and nutrient-enriched central
water occurred seasonally. High production of biogenic
particles off the capes, in combination with a huge supplyof terrestrial particles (dust due to present arid conditions), resulted in rapid sediment accumulation on theupper continental slope, which makes these sites suitablefor high resolution climate reconstructions. We present
the coccolithophore data from an 8.5-m long piston core
(GeoB 5546) that was recovered off Cape Yubi (27.5ºN,
1072 m). Correlation of the coccolithophore records withother proxy records (total organic carbon, carbonate,isotopes, and alkenones) from the same site were carriedout in order to assess the sensitivity of coccolithophores
to short-term climatic changes.
The study has produced a high-resolution record for thelast 45,000 years with a sampling resolution of less than
500 years and where short-term climatic events (Heinrich Events (HE) and Dansgaard-Oeschger Cycles) wereidentified. In general, absolute coccolith numbers wererelatively constant throughout most of the time interval

investigated. Surprisingly, the numbers of total coccoliths
did not increase significantly before the middle Holocene.
Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa species were themain contributors to the coccolith assemblage. Whereas
E. huxleyi was abundant throughout the studied interval,
a considerable change in dominance of G. muellerae to
G. oceanica occurred near the last glacial maximum, andG. oceanica was dominant in the Holocene. Glacial seasurface temperatures showed marked millennial oscillations around a mean of 15-17ºC. These phases werecharacterized by the circulation of fresh and turbulent
surface-water masses as indicated by high abundancesof E. huxleyi, G. muellerae, Calcidiscus leptoporus, andreworked coccoliths. The coldest events off Cape Yubi
occurred abruptly during the last glacial, which is coincident with large iceberg transports in the North Atlantic
Heinrich Events and the Younger Dryas cooling. These
events were characterized by peaks in the abundance ofthe deep-dwelling Florisphaera profunda (especiallyduring HE1 and HE3), which, in concordance with thegeneral Atlantic signal, indicate water column stratification and possibly a stabilized water column with noupwelling influence.

24

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Recent decline in pelagic calcification offshore of the
Sepik River in the western Pacific warm poolluc beaufort

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; beaufort@cerege.fr

Thibault de Garidel-Thoron

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; garidel@cerege.fr

leatitia l. licari

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; licari@cerege.fr

Nicolas barbarin

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; BARBARIN@cerege.fr

Xiang Su

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; Tongji University, Shanghai, China;
suxiang118@hotmail.com

laurence vidal

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; vidal@cerege.fr

Edouard bard

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; bard@cerege.fr

Frauke Rostek

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; rostek@cerege.fr

Yves Gally

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, BP 80, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; gally@cerege.fr

Because of their minute size, we can use the degree ofcalcification of coccolithophores as an early marker ofacidification. Thus, from a previous extensive survey ofdiverse chemical conditions in the present and past oceans,
we can show that the mass of coccolithophores in the classof the Isochrysidales increases with carbonate ion concentration except in the most acidic conditions (Beaufort etal., 2011). Using new technical developments to measurecoccolith thickness, we have produced a 400-year recordof coccolith mass from the western Pacific north of Papua(25 km from the mouth of the Sepik River) with a oneyear resolution. The chronology, based on Pb210 and 14C
dates, indicates a regular sedimentation rate in the orderof 6 mm/1000 years. We sampled the top 6 m of the coreat one-centimeter spacing.
The high sedimentation rates in this core imply important dilution of coccoliths in the sediments, but with thehelp of an automated technique it was possible to get a
sufficient number of coccoliths to obtain robust statistics.
The mass of Emiliania huxleyi remained constant between
1580 and 1940 AD and since then has decreased by half.
The flux of coccoliths also has decreased dramatically inrecent years. However, the flux of alkenone has increased
in recent years, and this is indicative of increased production of Isochrysidales since 1950. We sampled the surface
water at the site location in February 2012, for chemistry
and morphologic analysis. We observed an absence of
coccoliths of E. huxleyi and the rare presence of coccospheres of Gephyrocapsa oceanica. The absence of E.
huxleyi coccoliths could be the result of its actual absenceat that time or the fact that it was naked (not producing
coccoliths). The pH was measured at about 7.97. We estimate that pH was above 8 before the industrial revolution based on changes in pCO2 recorded in Antarctic ice
cores (Etheridge et al., 1996). Coral records of temperature and salinity determined near the coring site indicate
no recent changes in those parameters (Tudhope et al.,1995). These measurements and observations point to an
important ecological impact of acidification in this coastal
environment.
References
Beaufort, L., Probert, I., de Garidel-Thoron, T., Bendif,
E.M., Ruiz-Pino, D., Metzl, N., Goyet, C., Buchet, N.,
Coupel, P., Grelaud, M., Rost, B., Rickaby, R.E.M. &de Vargas, C. 2011. Sensitivity of coccolithophores tocarbonate chemistry and ocean acidification. Nature,
476: 80-84.
Etheridge, D.M., Steele, L.P., Langenfelds, R.L., Francey,
R.J., Barnola, J.M. & Morgan, V.I. 1996. Natural andanthropogenic changes in atmospheric CO2 over thelast 1000 years from air in Antarctic ice and firn:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 101:
4115-4128.
Tudhope, A.W., Shimmield, G.B., Chilcott, C.P., Jebb,
M., Fallick, A.E. & Dalgleish, A.N. 1995. Recentchanges in climate in the far western equatorial Pacificand their relationship to the Southern Oscillation: oxygen isotope records from massive corals, Papua New
Guinea. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 136:575-590.

INA1425

an industrial revolution: a comparison of industry andresearch nannofossil quantitative counting techniques
Teodora blajSimon Cole
Petros Hardas
Christian Joachim
Tamsin lawrence
Dave Rutledge
lee Toms

PetroStrat Ltd., Tan-y-Graig, Conwy, UK, LL32 8FA; Nannopaleontologists@petrostrat.com

A variety of techniques are being utilized to examine
calcareous nannofossils. In terms of sample preparation, various specialized techniques are used by research,
but preparing simple smear slides is the most popular
technique. These smear slides have been the basis of
most nannofossil research over the past decades. Smearslide preparation is quick and easy and ideal for industrial applications, particularly well-site biostratigraphy.
Counting methods for quantitative nannofossil data
vary considerably, but broadly speaking there are two
distinct schools of thought: (1) industrial where everything is counted along a fixed traverse length, and (2)research where a fixed number of specimens (e.g., 300)
is counted. Comparison of quantitative data generated
by the different methods is difficult and often limits theutility of published data. The purpose of this presentation
is to promote an understanding of well-proven industrial
methods among researchers, in the hope that counting
methods can eventually be standardized.
Based on a review of nannofossil articles published overthe last 60 years, there is no single and consistent counting
method adopted by researchers. For the researchers whocounted a fixed number of individual nannofossil specimens per slide, various numbers were counted, although
300 specimens were frequently regarded as statisticallysignificant in micropaleontological research (Phleger,
1960; Fatela & Taborda, 2002). Other inconsistencies
may hamper the utility of this technique. For example,(1) fixed count data can be presented as % abundance or
specimens per square mm, (2) counts may be conductedin either XPL or PPL, the latter excluding identification of many species, (3) counts may be conducted atvarious magnifications, (4) some research projects focus
on a particular group and ‘lump’ or do not record any
secondary species such as small placoliths and (5) someauthors employ semi-quantitative approaches and estimate the abundance of individual species.
Industrial nannofossil analyses generally involve
counting all specimens within a standard traverse (e.g.,
60 fields of view [FOV] or 10 mm at x1,000 magnification), then scanning of the remainder of the slide for rare
species. In richly nannofossiliferous samples, a ‘cascading
count’ procedure similar to that proposed by Styzen (1997)

can be applied. With this method, abundant species arequickly eliminated from the count because their abundance is factored up to equate with a full 60 FOV traverse.
In this way, these slides can be counted in a reasonable amount of time, which is industrially practical. We
propose that this industrial method of counting is a morerobust method that could be adopted as a standard by the
research community. It is favored over counting a fixed
number of specimens (e.g., 300) for a variety of reasons.
First, in poor material it can be impossible to find 300
specimens. Second, and most importantly, in rich material
300 specimens might be counted in only two or three fieldsof view. In a typical Cretaceous-Paleogene sample, 95%of counted specimens will be long-ranging placoliths andcounting will cease before many useful species have beenfound. The 300-count technique precludes identificationof certain important nannofossil acme events (e.g., Eprolithus eptapetalus in the early-middle Turonian), which
are easily detected via counting 60 FOV. In comparison,a 60 FOV traverse can yield counts from zero (barren)
to >5,000 specimens, enabling accurate quantification of
the abundance of non-dominant (but important) marker
species. This method also provides a good indicationof variation in total nannofossil abundance without any
calculation.
Having re-examined a variety of well sections, we areable to present comparisons between “industrial” and“research” datasets. We hope this demonstrates that theindustrial method produces more realistic and reproducible diversity and abundance figures, facilitating comparison and correlation of wells or outcrops. Counting a fixed
number of specimens may be useful for foraminiferal
research, but we consider this methodology inappropriate
for nannofossil analyses.
References
Fatela, F. & Taborda, R. 2002. Confidence limits of species proportions in microfossil assemblages. Marine
Micropaleontology, 45: 169-174.
Phleger, F.B. 1960. Ecology and distribution of Recent
foraminifera. Johns Hopkins Press, Baltimore.
Styzen, M.J. 1997. Cascading counts of nannofossil abundance. Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 19(1): 49.

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Patterns of morphological evolution in the Tribrachiatuslineage: a geometric morphometric study
David bord*dbord@eps.rutgers.edu

Marie-Pierre aubry
aubry@rci.rutgers.edu

Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Rutgers University, 610 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8066, USA

A detailed morphometric analysis was conducted on
the early Eocene Tribrachiatus linage to characterizemorphological evolution of shape and form during speciation. This study incorporated outline-based and landmark-based geometric morphometric analyses, as wellas traditional morphometrics. This lineage is one of the
only undeniable and uninterrupted lineages in coccolithophores. It consists of three morphologically successive
species that have evolved through rotation of two stacked
equilateral triplets. The radially symmetrical hexaradiate
form, T. bramlettei (the stem species) evolves into an
asymmetric form (T. contortus), which itself evolves into
a triradiate form (T. orthostylus). This is well expressedat North Atlantic DSDP Site 550 where the lineage
occurs over a 12-m interval (from the upper range of T.
bramlettei, through the range of T. contortus, and up to
the lower range of T. orthostylus). The transition fromT. bramlettei to T. contortus is well documented at thissite where it occurs over a thin stratigraphic interval (0.5m), representing a few thousand years. Previously documented transitional forms suggest that this lineage is aprime example of gradual (anagenesis) evolution.
Eigenshape outline analysis and partial Procrustes
superimpositions were conducted to complement thetraditional approach of measuring the angles between
triplet arms for a full analysis of shape and form.
Geometric morphometrics decompose measurements to aminimum set of dimensions for analysis of shape within
and between samples. The geometric morphometric analysis during the speciation between T. bramlettei and T.
contortus shows, unexpectedly, morphologic stasis withineach species. Additionally, an abrupt morphologic shiftduring speciation indicates rapid evolution of an intermediate morphotype. This intermediate form disappears
once T. contortus is established (i.e., once fixation of thelatter morphology has occurred). The abruptness in thistransition might be best described as punctuated equilibrium, though the duration does not meet the criteria (<1%of the total duration) arbitrarily set by Gould (1982). Thispattern is best described as punctuated anagenesis, similar
to the speciation pattern described by Malmgren et al.
(1983) in the Globorotalia tumida lineage. However, andof particular interest, morphotypes similar to T. bramlettei
co-occur with T. contortus morphotypes throughout mostof the range of T. contortus, albeit decreasing in abundance. This does not fully agree with Malmgren’s concept.
This suggests there was more than the straightforward
replacement of an ancestral morphotype by a descendantmorphotype. The patterns in this uninterrupted lineage
grant us access to the tempo and direction of morphologic
evolution during coccolithophore speciation.
References
Gould, S.J. 1982. The meaning of punctuated equilibrium
and its role in validating a hierarchical approach tomacroevolution. In: R. Milkman (Ed). Perspectives
on Evolution. Sinauer, Sunderland, Massachusetts:
83-104.
Malmgren, B.A., Berggren, W.A. & Lohmann, G. 1983.
Evidence for punctuated gradualism in the Late Neogene Globorotalia tumida lineage of planktonic foraminifera. Paleobiology, 9: 377-389.

INA1427

Calcareous nannofossil contribution to carbonate export
during the last 450 ka in the NW Pacific Ocean (Shatsky
Rise)
Manuela bordiga

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; manuela.bordiga@geo.uu.se

Miriam Cobianchi

University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; miriam@unipv.it

Claudia lupi

University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; claudia.lupi@unipv.it

Jorijntje Henderiks

Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; jorijntje.henderiks@geo.uu.se

Patrizia Ziveri

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Patrizia.Ziveri@uab.cat

Many processes influence the ocean-atmosphere CO2
exchange, including physical, biological, and carbonate
pumps. Coccolithophores are able to export carbonate
to the deep sea and contribute to the biological pumpthrough photosynthesis. They have been the major pelagic
carbonate producers in the NW Pacific over the last
450 ka, possibly playing a significant role in regulating
the ocean CO2 chemistry on timescales >1-100 ka. We
present micropaleontological and geochemical analyses
from the Pleistocene succession in ODP core 198-1209B(Shatsky Rise, NW Pacific) and evaluate the calcareous
nannoplankton contribution to the organic and inorganiccarbon pumps.
Calcareous nannofossil assemblages were analyzed in
59 samples to determine total coccolith carbonate accumulation rates (CAR), nannofossil preservation (NDI),
and paleoproductivity indices (N). Stable isotopic composition (δ18O and δ13C) and Sr/Ca in the 2-20 µm carbonate
fraction (coccolith-derived component), as well CaCO3
content (wt%) on bulk and the <20 µm fraction, were
measured. Spectral and wavelet analyses were applied tothe time series to evaluate periodicities, particularly Milankovitch-type frequencies.
On the basis of coccolithophore paleoecology andcoccolith (N and Sr/Ca) and foraminiferal geochemical(Δδ13Cp-b) proxies, high paleoproductivity from MIS 12 to
MIS 8 was derived. From MIS 6 upwards, Sr/Ca-derived
coccolithophore productivity shows low values during
glacials. This contrasts with the high primary productivity
recorded during glacials by N and Δδ13Cp-b. A possible
explanation is a dominance of siliceous organisms during
these periods due to the presence of eolian dust rich iniron from Asia, also documented by Zhang et al. (2007).
Coccolith preservation and CAR can be used to discuss
the dynamics of carbonate production and export to thedeep sea. Good preservation during glacials and intense
dissolution episodes at glacial onsets were recorded andCAR showed major coccolith-carbonate fluxes during
deglaciations. Our data show that nannofossils havebeen the major pelagic carbonate producers, constituting

50-80% of the total carbonate buried in the sediments
at this site. Speculating about the coccolithophore rolein the CO2atm balance, we conclude that nannoplankton
contributed to the CO2atm regulation through the biologicalpump, particularly during interglacials. High carbonate
burial fluxes during deglaciations may point to a different
balance towards minimum efficiency of CO2atm uptake.
Conversely, increased coccolith-carbonate accumulationin deep-sea sediments would favor CO2 buffering duringhigh carbonate dissolution episodes.
At site 1209B, the physical pump was primarily driven
by shallow circulation and vertical mixing from the Kuroshio Current. We assume that climate and oceanographic
forcing (local currents, oceanic fronts, monsoons, andorbital reorganization) could influence the nannofossil
assemblages, and thus carbonate dynamics over the last
450 ka.
This study demonstrates how coccolithophorecarbonate export and sedimentation strongly interact
with ocean and atmosphere chemistry for more than timescales >100 ka. At a glacial-interglacial scale, changes incoccolith production were able to influence the saturation of deep waters, as demonstrated also by spectral andwavelet analyses.
Although based only on one site, our study suggeststhat calcareous nannoplankton pumps and sedimentation can influence the ocean carbon inventory and that its
dynamics operate at different time scales. Changes in thestrength of the pumps can lead to shifts in vertical distribution of the ocean CO2 and alkalinity, while not affecting
their inventories. This process is possibly importantto understand changes in surface-ocean chemistry andCO2atm on glacial-interglacial time scales.
Reference
Zhang, J., Wang, P., Li, Q., Cheng, X., Jin, H. & Zhang,
S. 2007. Western equatorial Pacific productivity andcarbonate dissolution over the last 550 kyr: foraminiferal and nannofossil evidence from ODP Hole 807A.
Marine Micropaleontology, 64: 121-140.

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Paleoceanographic changes in the NW Pacific Ocean overthe last 450 ka: evidence from statistical analysis of calcareous nannofossil assemblages
Manuela bordiga

Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia,
Pavia, Italy; manuela.bordiga@geo.uu.se

Miriam Cobianchi

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; miriam@unipv.it

Claudia lupi

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; claudia.lupi@unipv.it

This work investigated Pleistocene sediments from ODP
Site 1209B, located on the Shatsky Rise (NW Pacific).
Calcareous nannofossil assemblages, a nannofossilderived paleoproductivity index (N ratio), and a Warm
Water Taxa (WWT) proxy were employed to investigate
the paleoceanographic changes in the NW Pacific midlatitudes over the last 450 ka, i.e., Marine Isotope Stages(MIS) 1-12. Multivariate statistical analyses on our quantitative micropaleontological data clarified the relationships between coccolith distribution and paleoenvironmental variables. We analyzed the calcareous nannofossil
content of 59 samples, and all data were processed using
the software PAST (Paleontological Statistics of Hammer
et al., 2001) to perform Principal Component Analysis(PCA) and Cluster Analysis.
At Site 1209B, calcareous nannofossils were abundant and well diversified. The PCA retained two principal
components, accounting for 66.8% and 11.8% of thevariance, respectively. Principal component 1 (PC1) was
negatively loaded by Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica andG. ericsonii and positively loaded by G. aperta, species
driven mainly by temperature. In addition, PC1 had ahigh correlation value with the WWT proxy (r = 0.83).
Thus, PC1 is linked to temperature variations and records
a warming SST trend over 450 ka. Principal component
2 (PC2) was positively loaded by G. caribbeanica, a
cosmopolitan species, and negatively loaded by G. aperta
and G. ericsonii, species typical of subtropical and tropical regions. Thus, PC2 could be related to the proximityof a subtropical front at the site. Cluster analysis allowed
for identification of five different clusters, and their distributions confirmed the interpretation of PC1 and PC2.
A number of paleoceanographic and paleoclimaticinterpretations were derived from our multivariate statistical analyses for the last 450 ka, and four time intervals,
characterized by different paleoceanographic scenarios,
are proposed here. From MIS 12 to MIS 8, eutrophic/
mesotrophic conditions (high N ratio values), cold-

temperate SST, and a minor influence of the subtropicalwaters on the site, recorded both by calcareous nannofossil
assemblages and by PCA, may be linked to a southern
position of the oceanic front and to a major influence ofthe cold-eutrophic Oyashio Current. This configuration
could also be related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation(ENSO) - like events, which were able to influence bothcurrents and paleoclimate in the western Pacific region.
During MIS 7, decreasing productivity and warming documented a major influence of the warm-oligotrophic Kuroshio Extension and the onset of El Niño-like conditions.
At the beginning of MIS 6, the increased abundance ofsubtropical species and PC2 confirmed a northward shiftof the oceanic front due to the end of the Mid-Brunhes
Event (MBE). Moreover, the recorded high productivity
may reflect a Kuroshio Extension in a contracted state anda major dust input linked to boreal monsoon dynamics(Zhang et al., 2007). Finally, from MIS 5 to MIS 1, higher
temperature and a slightly decreasing trend in paleoproductivity could be linked to the influence of the prevalentand more intense Kuroshio Extension, which probably
reflects more frequent El Niño-like events.
Through a statistical approach, we have documented
that the main changes in nannofossil distribution were
driven by ENSO patterns and boreal monsoons associatedwith local currents and oceanic front position.
References
Hammer, Ø., Harper, D.A.T. & Ryan, P.D. 2001. PAST:
Paleontological Statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica,
4(1): 9pp.
Zhang, J., Wang, P., Li, Q., Cheng, X., Jin, H. & Zhang,
S. 2007. Western Equatorial Pacific productivity andcarbonate dissolution over the last 550 kyr: foraminiferal and nannofossil evidence from ODP Hole 807A.
Marine Micropaleontology, 64: 121-140.

INA1429

Climatic and ecological changes during the aptian traced
by calcareous nannofossils and oxygen isotopes
Cinzia bottini

Department of Earth Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; Cinzia.bottini@unimi.it

Elisabetta Erba

Department of Earth Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; Elisabetta.erba@unimi.it

Daniele Tiraboschi

Department of Earth Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; Daniele.tiraboschi@gmail.com

Hugh C. Jenkyns

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK; Hugh.jenkyns@earth.ox.ac.uk

The Lower Cretaceous was marked by the emplacementof large igneous provinces (LIPs) that formed gigantic
oceanic plateaus, thus affecting ecosystems at a global
scale. Biota were forced to face excess CO2 and climaticand global perturbations in the ocean-atmosphere system.
In particular, Ontong Java Plateau (OJP) volcanism wascoeval with an episode of oxygen depletion in the oceansthat resulted in burial of massive amounts of organic
matter, coinciding with the early Aptian Oceanic Anoxic
Event (OAE)1a.
Several studies have been conducted to reconstructtemperature variations across the Aptian, especiallyduring OAE1a. There is a general consensus that a major
warming characterized OAE1a, although some authors
have provided evidence for transient cooling intervals. In
contrast, the climatic conditions in the late Aptian are lessconstrained, and a complete record is not yet available.
We present a reconstruction of surface-water paleotemperature and fertility based on calcareous nannofossil
records from the Tethys and Pacific Oceans. The data,
integrated with oxygen-isotope records and datasets fromother latitudes, provide a detailed picture of climatic andecological changes during the Aptian, showing variations
never highlighted before.
The collected dataset indicates that maximum warming
characterized the early phase of anoxia under the intense
volcanic activity of the OJP. A short-lived (~35ky)
cooling, following a rapid increase in weathering, inter-

rupted the major warming. A generally warm and humid
climate was probably the promoter of continental runoffand consequent nutrient supply to the oceans. Peaks intrace metal concentrations suggest that biolimiting metals
may have additionally fertilized the oceans. Nannofossils suggest meso- to eutrophic conditions were reachedunder the highest temperatures and during the maximum
amount of OJP volcanism. The rest of OAE1a was characterized by subsequent cooling events, probably promoted
by CO2 sequestration during burial of organic matter. In
this phase, high productivity was probably maintained by
N2-fixing cyanobacteria, while nannofossil indicators ofhigh fertility were rare. The end of anoxia coincides withthe end of volcanism and a pronounced cooling. The mid
Aptian was characterized by high surface-water fertility
and progressively decreasing temperatures, probably
suggestive of intense continental weathering that supplied
nutrients to the oceans and maintained low pCO2. The
lowest temperatures, combined with low fertility, werereached in the late Aptian across the interval characterizedby blooming of Nannoconus truittii. A stasis in volcanism
and less humid climate are proposed for this interval.
Our data indicate that OJP activity played a direct rolein inducing global warming during the early Aptian, andwhile other mechanisms acted as feedback processes thatfavored temporary cold interludes, persisting volcanism
eventually led to the end of anoxia.

30

INA14

North american Middle and late Cretaceous paleoceanographic trends evidenced by biscutum
bobbi brace*

bobbibrace@huskers.unl.edu

David K. Watkins
dwatkins1@unl.edu

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA

The abundance of Biscutum spp. is frequently used asa paleoceanographic proxy for surface-water fertility.
Examination of relative abundance fluctuations, coupledwith timing of evolutionary events, provides insight into
wider paleoceanographic and evolutionary patterns. This
study presents a detailed record of the relative abundanceof Biscutum spp. with respect to major evolutionary
and paleoceanographic events from a composite sectionof mid- to Late Cretaceous sites from North America,
encompassing OAE1d, OAE2, OAE3, and the Mid-Maastrichtian Event. During OAE1d, a pattern of increasingly
higher minima and maxima is recorded, leading up to theevent where values rapidly decrease. After the rapid dropin relative abundance, values quickly recover to pre-event
levels. These data suggest that the period of time leading
up to OAE1d was associated with increasingly fertile, andperhaps increasingly unstable, surface-water conditions.
The origin of a new, relatively short-ranging species ofBiscutum is also recorded during OAE1d. During OAE2,
a rapid decrease in the abundance of Biscutum spp. wasobserved as values dropped from approximately 30% of
the assemblage to <15%. These data indicate that OAE2
was likely associated with decreasing surface-water
fertility leading into the event in the WIS (Western Interior Seaway) from where the OAE2 data are derived.

Although only one extinction and one origination were
documented with Biscutum near OAE2, the origin of three
new species was recorded during the mid Cenomanianleading up to the event. The appearance of these forms
is concomitant with high relative abundance values ofBiscutum spp. (>40%), suggesting that increased surface
water fertility may have been conducive to diversification.
Abundance patterns during OAE3 vary between the GOM(Gulf of Mexico) and the WIS. The average relative abundance of Biscutum spp. was 10% higher in the WIS thanin the GOM during this interval. The total range of a new
species of Biscutum, which has only been observed in the
GOM, is documented during the Santonian/Campanian.
No further evolutionary first occurrences were recorded
for the remainder of the Cretaceous. Two distinct trends
were visible in the Maastrichtian. First, no species turnover occurred in Biscutum subsequent to the Campanian in
mid-latitudes, and all evolutionary activity appeared to beconcentrated at high latitudes. Second, the interval of timein the Maastrichtian in which five high-latitude species
undergo extinction coincides with a drop in Biscutum
abundance in mid-latitudes. Changes in ocean circulation
at this time (e.g., the Mid-Maastrichtian Event) may havedisrupted evolution of this lineage.

INA1431

Extinction risk of phytoplankton species to potential killing mechanisms at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary
Timothy J. bralower

Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; tjb26@psu.edu

Jon Schueth

Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; jschueth@psu.edu

Shijun Jiang

Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China; sjiang@jnu.edu.cn

The impact at Chicxulub caused catastrophic changes
in marine habitats, including extended darkness, ocean
acidification, and eutrophication. These changes were
devastating to some groups of phytoplankton at the baseof the marine food chain while others escaped virtually
unscathed. For example, diatoms had ~85% survival
across the boundary, and dinoflagellates actually increased
in diversity. These non-calcareous plankton most likely
survived due to their adaptation to high-stress environments and their ability to form spores and resting cysts.
The calcareous nannoplankton, however, were decimated,
and approximately 85% of genera and 93% of species
went extinct. Nannoplankton generally lack the ability
to encyst and thus, as a group, would have been susceptible to darkness, ocean acidification, and eutrophication.
However, we still do not fully understand why certain
nannofossil taxa survived while others went extinct.
Extinction risk, the projected susceptibility of a taxon
to extinction based on its ecology and ability to adapt,is a concept that is widely applied to extant species andhigher order fossil groups, but not to phytoplankton. This
concept is useful for probing the selectivity of ancient
species to mass extinction. Determining the extinction
risk of late Maastrichtian nannoplankton species would bea step towards understanding the selection of survivors.
The deep-sea record contains a remarkable archive of
nannoplankton extinction and recovery across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. The recovery was geologically extended, enabling detailed comparisons among theocean basins. A large global database of assemblages has
led to the discovery that the Northern Hemisphere oceanssuffered higher nannoplankton extinction rates than theSouthern Hemisphere with an ecological “crisis” thatlasted for approximately 350 thousand years after the
impact. In addition, incumbency played a major role in
the origination of new species. Since extinction almost
certainly occurred over durations far shorter than can be
resolved in the stratigraphic record, determining their ultimate causes is challenging and far more speculative. In
our presentation, we discuss the extinction risk of latest
Maastrichtian nannoplankton species by comparing
our understanding of their ecology with the biologicaleffects of each potential killing mechanism. Our results
show that no one mechanism can explain the extinctionof nannoplankton as a group, while also explaining theselection of survivors. We show how acidification andeutrophication amplified extinction risk of species, as did
the cessation of photosynthesis caused by darkness.

32

INA14

Calcareous nannofossils and water dynamics in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean (western Atlantic) during thefinal phase of the emersion of Central America
Yaned Margarita buitrago Reina

Oceanic Geosciences Group-GGO, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; Stratigraphy Research Institute, University of Caldas,
Caldas, Colombia; margaritab@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Oceanic Geosciences Group-GGO, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Oceanic Geosciences Group-GGO, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.es

The modern configuration of the earth’s crust is the resultof continuous tectonic modifications through geologic
time. These processes control the shape of the ocean
basins and influence the distribution, weakening, or reinforcement of the oceanic currents. The last known global
events were the closure of the Indonesian Gateway andthe emersion of Central America. The closure of theCentral American Seaway was a stepwise tectonic eventthat began at ~16.1-15.1 Ma (Duque-Caro, 1990), andits final phase lasted from 4.6 to 1.9 Ma (Keigwin, 1982;
Lundelius, 1987; Keller et al., 1989; Coates et al., 1992;
Haug et al., 2001; among others). The main aim of thiswork was to (1) evaluate how the calcareous nannofossils (CN) responded to the appearance of this land barrier
and the intensification of Northern Hemisphere glaciations (NHG)(~2.75 Ma), and (2) elucidate how these
events affected the surface ocean dynamics of the Equatorial Eastern Pacific Ocean (EEPO) and the Caribbean
Sea (western Atlantic Ocean). We selected samples fromthe early Pliocene to early Pleistocene (~4.0 to ~1.9 Ma)that were recovered during the ODP Leg 138 (Site 846:
3°5.802'S 90°49.074'W; 849: 0°10.993'N 110°31.167'W;
852: 5°17.550'N 110°4.537'W)(Mayer et al., 1992)
and Leg 165 (Site 999: 12°44.639'N, 78°44.360'W)(Sigurdsson et al., 1997). With an opened gateway, weobserved slight fluctuations and very low abundances(e.g., Pseudoemiliania lacunosa) of almost every species,
except for the <5µm reticulofenestrids. This suggeststhat there was intensification of the California Current,
the North Equatorial Countercurrent, and the Equatorial
Undercurrent. After the emergence of Central America,
and as a response to the intensification of the NHG, there
were high amplitude fluctuations in every species, and theextinction process of the genus Discoaster was acceler-

ated, indicating that the South Equatorial Current (SEC)and the Peru Current (PC) were strengthened.
References
Coates, A.G., Jackson, J.B.C., Collins, L.S., Cronin,T.M., Dowsett, H.J., Bybell, L.M., Jung, P. & Obando,
J.A. 1992. Closure of the Isthmus of Panama: thenear-shore marine record of Costa Rica and western
Panama. Geological Society of America Bulletin, 104:814-828.
Duque-Caro, H. 1990. Neogene stratigraphy, paleoceanography and paleobiogeography in northwest SouthAmerica and the evolution of the Panama Seaway.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology,
77: 203-234.
Haug, G.H., Tiedemann, R., Zahn, R. & Ravelo, A.C.
2001. Role of Panama uplift on oceanic freshwaterbalance. Geology, 29: 207-210.
Keigwin, L.D. 1982. Isotopic paleoceanography of the
Caribbean and east Pacific: role of Panama uplift inlate Neogene time. Science, 217: 350-352.
Keller, G., Zenker, C.E. & Stone, S.M. 1989. Late Neogene history of the Pacific-Caribbean gateway. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, 2: 73-108.
Lundelius, E.L., Jr. 1987. The North American Quaternary sequence. In: M.O. Woodburne (Ed). Cenozoic
Mammals of North America. University of California
Press, Berkeley: 211-235.
Mayer, L., Pisias, N., Janecek, T. et al. 1992. Initial
Reports, Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program,
138.
Sigurdsson, H., Leckie, R.M., Acton, G.D. et al. 1997.
Shipboard Scientific Party, Site 999. Proceedings of
the Ocean Drilling Program, 165: 131-230

INA1433

Are Indian Ocean dynamics controlled by the Pacific
Ocean or vice versa: ENSO versus monsoon dynamics at a
suborbital scale
Eloy Cabarcos*

Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; eloycabarcos@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.esarun D. Singh

Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India; arundeosingh@yahoo.co

Coccolithophores were studied from ODP Site 1240
(0º01.31'N, 86º27.76'W at 2921 m) in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) and from the SK-17 core (15º5'N,
72º58'E at 840 m) in the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS). The
Pacific and Indian Oceans are connected by the Indonesian Passageway, with flow generally moving fromthe Pacific into the Indian Ocean and passing throughthe Indonesian Archipelago. Productivity in the EEP is
primarily determined by variations in the trade winds andEl Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) dynamics. Productivity in the EAS is controlled mainly by changes in the
Asian monsoon intensity. Productivity in both regions
was greater during Termination 1 in the Holocene. Thissuggests the presence of La Niña-like conditions over the
EEP and intensified winter monsoon winds over the EAS
during Termination 1. Under these conditions, upwelling
occurs in the EEP and in the EAS due to the divergence,
which is the result of intense dominant trade winds in bothareas. A significant decline in the productivity of bothareas occurred in the early Holocene, and productivity
was relatively low during the middle and late Holocene,suggesting a weakening of the dominant Trade Winds.
EEP productivity showed large fluctuations during the
middle and late Holocene, suggesting an alternation of La
Niña-like and El Niño-like conditions. To a lesser extent,
EAS productivity showed continued significant fluctuations during the middle and late Holocene, likely related tochanges in the wind intensity during the winter monsoon.
Antarctic waters (e.g., Subantarctic Mode Water) playeda crucial role in productivity in the entire Southern Hemisphere because these waters are the main source of nutrients for the thermocline. Our data suggest that thermohaline circulation and Southern Ocean dynamics had amajor influence on the productivity of tropical areas of
the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Furthermore, we observeda strong parallelism between the productivity of the EEP
and the EAS, which suggests a connection between the
Pacific and Indian Oceans at this time.

34

INA14

What governs the productivity of coccolithophores in theeastern Equatorial Pacific?
Eloy Cabarcos*

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; eloycabarcos@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.es

We provide high-resolution paleoproductivity data for the
Holocene in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific and describe
the coccolithophore assemblages at Ocean Drilling Project(ODP) Site 1240 in the Panama Basin. Coccolithophores
are proposed as a proxy for estimating paleoproductivity
and nutricline position in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Our
proxies can be used as an indirect tool to reconstruct the
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the main factor
controlling the climate variability in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific. Equatorial upwelling intensity and the influence of waters with a subantarctic origin controlled the
productivity and the phytoplankton composition during the
Holocene, and this has been strongly controlled by ENSO
dynamics and, as our data suggest, by Southern Hemisphere dynamics. Our results reveal a clear prevalence ofdominant La Niña conditions during the early Holocene,with intense upwelling and high primary productivity inthe Eastern Equatorial Pacific. La Niña conditions alsoprevailed during the middle Holocene, although important fluctuations were observed in paleoproductivity, andsome intervals with a low primary productivity wererecognizable (between 8.2 and 8 ka and around 7 and6.5 ka), which indicates a weakened upwelling pulse, as
occurs during El Niño events. A strong decrease in paleoproductivity occurred between 5 and 4.3 ka, suggesting
an increase in stratification of the water column as a resultof a shift towards dominant El Niño conditions. Alternations between El Niño- and La Niña-dominant conditions
occurred during the late Holocene, with El Niño conditions and low primary productivity clearly prevailing. In
addition, we suggest that solar forcing over the Eastern
Equatorial Pacific influenced productivity during the
Holocene, which generated decadal variability.

INA1435

Coccolithophore response to cadmium - preliminary results from Project Cd-ToxCoN
Mario Cachão

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; mcachao@fc.ul.pt

ana amorim

Department of Oceanography & Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; aaferreira@fc.ul.pt

Fátima africano

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; faafricano@fc.ul.pt

vanda brotas

Department of Oceanography & Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; vbrotas@fc.ul.pt

Maria luisa Dâmaso-Rodrigues

Department of Oceanography & Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; mlurodrigues@fc.ul.pt

vera veloso

Department of Oceanography & Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; vmveloso@fc.ul.pt

Certain coccolithophores are reported to have some ofthe highest Cd:P (cadmium to phosphorus) ratios among
phytoplankton (Emiliania huxleyi: 0.36; Gephyrocapsa
oceanica: 0.31 mmol:mol) (Finkel et al., 2007) and thehighest cellular concentration of Cd (E. huxleyi: 48; G.
oceanica: 43 µmol/L of cell volume) (Ho et al., 2003).
The question remains whether these high Cd ratios andconcentrations also reflect a high tolerance to Cd-enrichment conditions with possible implications for toxicity
amplification along the trophic food web.
In the present work, controlled laboratory experiments,using a Cd-enriched seawater medium, were performed
with coccolithophore strains isolated from Portuguese
offshore waters during opportunity cruises. Several
species of coccolithophores were isolated and cultured(Coccolithus pelagicus, Calcidiscus leptoporus, E.
huxleyi, G. oceanica, and Umbilicosphaera hulburtiana),
but only E. huxleyi and G. oceanica were able to attainhigh cell densities during scale-up culture implementation, a necessary step to obtain enough coccolith-driven
calcium carbonate to allow Cd analysis.
Two parameters were investigated: (1) Cd partition in
the cell (intracellular versus exoskeleton coccosphere)and (2) the effect of increasing Cd concentrations in thephysiology of E. huxleyi and G. oceanica.
The following four Cd concentration thresholds were
postulated and examined:
TL1 – above which there is a drop in photosynthetic
efficiency
TL2 – above which there is coccolith malformation
TL3 – above which a change into the haploid stage is
inducedTL4 – above which cell lysis occurs

Even at the highest Cd concentration tested (8.9 x
10-8 M), no evident negative physiological effects wereobserved. Cells remained viable, photosynthetic efficiency remained high, no gross malformations wereobserved, and life cycle transitions were not induced.
Higher Cd concentrations in the medium led to higher Cd
uptake, which was preferentially located inside the cells.
Cadmium concentrations higher than present day ocean
concentrations seem to favor calcium incorporation into
coccospheres.
The very high Cd uptake capacity of the studied ubiquitous coccolithophores raises questions regarding theconsequences of these high ratios to marine plankton
toxicity.
acknowledgements
PestOE/MAR/UI0199/2011, Pest-OE/CTE/UI0263/2011,
and Project Cd-ToxCoN (PTDC/MAR/102800/2008) all
financed through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia(FCT).
References
Finkel, Z.V., Quigg, A.S., Chiampi, R.K., Schofield,
O.E. & Falkowski, P.G. 2007. Phylogenetic diversity
in cadmium: phosphorus ratio regulation by marine
phytoplankton: Limnology and Oceanography, 52(3):1131-1138.
Ho, T.-Y., Quigg, A.S., Finkel, Z.V., Milligan, A.J.,
Wyman, K., Falkowski, P.G. & Morel, F.M.M. 2003.
Elemental composition of some marine phytoplankton. Journal of Phycology, 39: 1145-1159.

36

INA14

Robust biostratigrapher’s “feeling”: multivariate
ecostratigraphy biosteering (MEb)
Mário Cachão

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; mcachao@fc.ul.pt

Biosteering uses microfossils to help “guide well trajectory back into a reservoir, boosting access to reserves...
particularly when features like sub-seismic faults canthrow a well way out of the reservoir package” (Payne in
Shirley, 2002).
Biosteering normally operates inside a single biostratigraphic unit, i.e., essentially within the same microfossil assemblage. This prevents the use of traditional
approaches like FAD/LAD, and the biostratigrapher
must use his/her experience based only on subtle assemblage variations across the reservoir. This experience or“feeling” is normally not tabulated and so is very difficult to support statistically or to plot, as compared togeophysical profiling. It can be useful, however, when adecision is necessary to prevent a well from overshooting
the upper/lower boundaries of the reservoir in real-time
drilling or to immediately detect if you’re on a fault’s
footwall or hanging wall and determine in which direction
to drill back to the reservoir. It is especially useful in sediments confined by similar monotonous lithofacies. This
technique is possible when the formations have similar
facies, and thus similar geophysical properties, but do nothave assemblages with the exact same microfossil proportions.
Multivariate ecostratigraphy biosteering (MEB)
provides a statistically robust technique, using subtle
paleoecological variations across a reservoir’s unit(s),that helps support a biostratigrapher’s “feeling” in ultrahigh-resolution analyses. Specifically, MEB’s output canbe plotted together with and directly compared to othergeophysical profiling data.
MEB provides a case-specific solution for each reservoir, i.e., a certain assemblage function is valid only for a
specific and confined sequence of formation(s) because it

is sensitive to lateral variation of biofacies. The solution
is interpreted and refined from previous characterizationsof assemblages across the entire reservoir in question andadjacent formations.
MEB can be applied to any time interval, i.e., to any
calcareous nannofossil assemblage. Because it normallyuses the most abundant taxa, it allows rapid counts per
sample and fast results, and thus is suitable for real-time
drilling decisions.
MEB doesn’t need the biostratigrapher to change anyof his/her taxonomic concepts because it feeds on his/her
own everyday experience, namely which species are more
pertinent for characterizing reservoir boundaries, and thus
its application is specifically designed for each biostratigrapher’s needs. Fast assemblage counts can be performed
in a quantitative, semi-quantitative, or qualitative scale,as long as there is enough pertinent information. This canbe tested and a solution validated during the assemblage
characterization of a reservoir’s bottom-to-top polarization.
Data from a theoretical scenario will be presented toillustrate MEB capabilities. Everyone is welcome to bring
actual encoded and unspecified data and put MEB to thetest.
acknowledgements
Project Pest-OE/CTE/UI0263/2011 financed by Fundação
para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Reference
Shirley, K. 2002. ‘Bugs’ showing the path for Drillbit.
AAPG Explorer (12Dec2002). (http://www.aapg.org/
explorer/2002/123dec/biosteering.cfm)

INA1437

Coccolithophore assemblages in Philippine inland seas
John Warner M. Carag*
johnwcarag@gmail.com

allan Gil S. Fernando
agsfernando@yahoo.com

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines

Few nannoplankton research studies deal with coccolithophore assemblages found in inland seas, such as the Mediterranean and Black Seas in southern Europe and the Seto
Sea in Japan. The Philippine archipelago encompasses
several inland seas and, therefore, presents an interestingsite for studying and identifying morphological differences between species found at higher and lower latitudes.
The study was made possible through the PhilEx 20072008 Oceanographic Cruise in the Bohol, Sibuyan, andSulu Seas onboard R/V Melville and the Sonne 228 Cruisein the Philippine Sea in 2013 onboard R/V Sonne. The
surface-water samples collected during these cruises were

filtered onboard using a 0.45 µm Millipore filter. Althoughseveral of the samples have already been observed witha polarizing microscope, the present study will involve
documentation of coccolithophores through scanningelectron microscopy. In this project, photomicrographs ofcoccolithophores from Philippine surface waters will be
provided, along with detailed morphological descriptions.
This study represents one of the first attempts to document extant coccolithophores in Philippine inland seas,
hence, contributing to baseline data on coccolithophore
assemblages in a low-latitude tropical setting.

38

INA14

Nannofossil biostratigraphy of northwest leyte(visayan basin)abigael Castro*

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines;
abbey_castro21@yahoo.com

allan Gil S. Fernando

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines;
agsfernando@yahoo.com

Ryuichi Majima

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences,
University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Tomoki Kase

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature& Science, 3231 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan; kase@kahaku.go.jp

Ryoji Wani

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature& Science, 3231 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan

Shungo Kawagata

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature& Science, 3231 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan

Hideki Wada

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature& Science, 3231 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan

Hiroki Hayashi

Department of Geoscience, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science& Engineering, Shimane University, Matsue-shi, Shimane, Japan;
hayashi@riko.shimane-u.ac.jp

Masao Maeda

Takehiro Nanjo

Department of Geoscience, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science &Engineering, Shimane University, Matsue-shi, Shimane, Japan

Yolanda aguilar

Department of Geoscience, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science &Engineering, Shimane University, Matsue-shi, Shimane, Japan

Robert Jenkins

Department of Geoscience, Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science &Engineering, Shimane University, Matsue-shi, Shimane, JapanThe calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of northwest
Leyte Island (central Philippines) was investigated forthe present study. Northwest Leyte is part of the Visayan
Basin, which has been the focus of several sedimentological and biostratigraphic studies in the past few years.
Similar to Negros Island, northwest Leyte is comprised offossiliferous sedimentary units, most notable of which are
the chemosynthetic, mollusk-bearing Pliocene mudstones.
Based on the calcareous nannofossil assemblages, thesections were dated at Pliocene to Pleistocene in age. The
Pliocene (Zones NN12-NN15) was recognized based on
an assemblage consisting of Amaurolithus tricorniculatus, Ceratolithus armatus, Discoaster blackstockae, D.

brouweri, D. pentaradiatus, D. surculus, D. tamalis, D.
variabilis, Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus, and Sphenolithus abies. The Pleistocene (NN19) was recognizedon the basis of Calcidiscus macintyrei, Gephyrocapsa
spp. (> 4 µm), Helicosphaera sellii, and Pseudoemiliania
lacunosa. Based on the established nannofossil biostratigraphy, an unconformity was recognized within the
Pliocene-Pleistocene interval. A diverse assemblage ofthe genus Scyphosphaera was also present in the Pliocene
mudstones of the investigated sections (Zones NN13-15).
This probably corresponds to the abundance acme of thegenus that has been reported from the late Miocene to late
Pliocene elsewhere.

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature& Science, 3231 Hyakunin-cho, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan
Petrolab, Mines & Geosciences Bureau, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines
Petrolab, Mines & Geosciences Bureau, Diliman, Quezon City,
Philippines

Chie Kusu

akari Okada

INA1439

North atlantic paleo-productivity changes during
Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 10 to 16 – coccolithophore
Sr/Ca evidence
Catarina Cavaleiro

CIMAR Associate Laboratory, Porto, Portugal; catarina.cavaleiro@lneg.pt

antje voelker

CIMAR Associate Laboratory, Porto, Portugal; antje.voelker@lneg.pt

Heather Stoll

Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; hstoll@geol.uniovi.es

Karl-Heinz baumann

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; baumann@uni-bremen.de

Denise Kulhanek

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA; kulhanek@iodp.tamu.edu

The North Atlantic is the primary deep ventilator of theoceans, playing a key role in thermohaline circulation
through the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation,
whose strength can be affected by regional or global
climatic changes. During abrupt climate change events(e.g., Heinrich Events), the southward migration of the
Polar Front, induced by iceberg discharge and melt-water
pulses, led to abrupt decreases in sea-surface temperaturesand salinity, which then affected primary productivity.
Paleoproductivity signals in the North Atlantic are controversial. Primary productivity is believed to contribute toa CO2 decrease during glacial periods through the uptakeof atmospheric CO2. As primary producers and the mostimportant calcifying organisms in the ocean, coccolithophores play a key role, not only in the ocean ecosystem but
also in the global carbon cycle, through their combined
effects on both the biological and carbonate pumps. The
coccolith Sr/Ca ratio is linked to productivity with ahigher ratio indicating faster growth rates and thus higher

coccolith productivity.
This study aims to determine paleoproductivity variability based on coccolith Sr/Ca ratios at IODP Site U1313(41°N, 33°W) between 676 and 355 ka ago, encompassing
three glacial/interglacial cycles. MIS 12 is considered tobe the most extreme glacial event of the last 500 ka, experiencing Heinrich-type ice-rafting events, while MIS 14
was a relatively mild glacial. For the MIS 12-10 interval,
for which data corrections and interpretation have alreadybeen completed, the Sr/Ca data clearly show that coccolithophore productivity was substantially higher during
glacial than interglacial or interstadial periods. Heinrich
EVENTS, on the other hand, greatly diminished paleoproductivity. Analyses that are underway for the older
stages will determine whether similar patterns exist inthese intervals and how productivity varied in the relatively colder interglacials MIS 13 and MIS 15 in comparison to MIS 11.

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5 Ma coccolith records and their paleoceanographic
significance in the south of the South China Sea
liu Chuanlian

State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; liucl@tongji.edu.cn

For this research, calcareous nannofossils were identified
and percentages counted for 1411 samples from ODP Site
1143. In addition, 500 of these samples were analyzed
with SYRACO (Système de Reconnaissance Automatiquede Coccolithes). The results reveal changes in predominant coccolith species, the depth of the nutricline, and theprimary productivity of surface waters, as well as their
response to paleoceanographic events. The Mid-Brunhes
Event (MBE) is used as an example to explain a possible
mechanism for the eccentricity-triggered blooming of
the coccoliths and the relationship between the coccolithcommunity and the δ13Cmax event, as well as changes in
the long-term cycle of the ocean carbon reservoir.
The dominant Quaternary species in the South China
Sea, Florisphaera profunda, Gephyrocapsa oceanica,
Emiliania huxleyi, and Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica,
all experienced significant changes during paleoceanographic events at 0~0.05, 0.26~0.48, 0.9, and 1.4~1.6 Ma.
Coinciding with the four δ13Cmax events, the primary
productivity increased, which suggests that coccolith
productivity has been an important influence on the ocean
carbon reservoir.
There are four stages in changes in the nutricline
depth at ODP site 1143. Comparing the monsoon record,
SST, and other results, the change in the nutricline depth
is primarily influenced by the monsoons and by expansion of the Arctic ice sheet. The structure of the upper
water varied before and after 0.9 Ma reflecting changing
monsoonal patterns. Before 0.9 Ma (Marine Isotope Stage22), as the summer monsoon intensified during an inter-glacial, the depth of the nutricline shallowed. After 0.9
Ma, as the winter monsoon intensified during a glacial,
the depth of the nutricline shallowed.
Spectral analysis of the primary coccolith species
shows a 100ka eccentricity cycle, a 40-ka obliquity cycle,
and a 20-ka precession cycle, which indicate that orbital
cycles are the main motivator for the coccolith community’s change.
In the mid-Brunhes interval (0.26~0.48 Ma), thepercentage of F. profunda declined, while Gephyrocapsa(Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica) was blooming. Meanwhile,the structure of the sea water changed, the nutricline depth
decreased, and primary productivity increased. Studies
show that during the mid-Brunhes interval the eccentricity was at a low level, and we conclude three possible
mechanisms to explain this situation: (1) eccentricity can
influence the Si supply via weathering, which changes
the diatom/coccolith ratio and the carbon reservoirs, (2)periods of low eccentricity are optimal for the growth ofcoccoliths, and (3) eccentricity can influence the productivity of the Southern Ocean and, via “Si leakage,” control
coccolith productivity.
Spectral analysis of F. profunda percentages shows a
500-ky cycle at 0~1.6 Ma and 400-ky cycles at 1.6~5 Ma,
which means that at this time the coccolith community
was primarily influenced by eccentricity forcing. The F.
profunda percentage is primarily controlled by the change
in the structure of the Southern Ocean and “Si leakage”.
Therefore, with intensified fluctuations, the coccolithcommunity can change the ocean carbon reservoirs.

INA14

41

Quantitative analysis of calcareous nannofossil bioeventsof the late Cretaceous (late Cenomanian-Coniacian)Western Interior Seaway and their relative reliability
Matthew J. Corbett

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0340, USA; mcorbett@huskers.unl.edu

David K.Watkins

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, 68588-0340, USA; dwatkins1@unl.edu

James J. Pospichal

BugWare Oilfield Paleontology, Tallahassee, FL, 32309, USA; jim.pospichal@bujgware.com

Calcareous nannofossil assemblages from eight localities
in the upper Cenomanian-Coniacian of the central (Colorado and Kansas) and southern (Texas) Western Interior
Seaway were analyzed to produce a new high-resolution
biostratigraphic framework for the Greenhorn Formation,
Eagle Ford Formation, and basal Austin Chalk. Eighteen
datasets from coeval successions, including the Global
Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) at Pueblo, CO, andproposed reference sections for the base of the Turonianand candidate GSSPs for the base of the Coniacian inGermany, Poland, and New Mexico, were incorporated
from literature sources. Ranking and scaling (RASC) of
48 selected bio-events produced a quantitatively-derived
optimum sequence of biostratigraphic events. Scaling of
the events along a relative time scale revealed an 8-9%
evolutionary turnover during OAE2 and net speciation at
the basal Coniacian boundary. Comparison with the qualitatively developed CC (Perch-Nielsen, 1985) and UC(Burnett, 1998) nannofossil zonations revealed inconsistencies, largely due to the recognition of new/amended
species concepts. Discrepancies near the Turonian/
Coniacian boundary reflect changes to its placement inrecent revisions to the geologic time scale. A sequence of
bioevents documented by Lees (2008) provided an accurate proxy for the Turonian/Coniacian boundary in theabsence of the inoceramid index fossil Cremnoceramus
deformis erectus (Meek).

References
Burnett, J.A. 1998. Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown
(Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British
Micropalaeontolical Society Publication Series. Chapman and Hall/Kluwer Academic Publishers, London:132-199.
Lees, J.A. 2008. The calcareous nannofossil record acrossthe Late Cretaceous Turonian/Coniacian boundary,including new data from Germany, Poland, the Czech
Republic and England. Cretaceous Research, 29:
40-64.
Perch-Nielsen, K. 1985. Mesozoic calcareous nannofossils. In: H.M. Bolli, J.B. Saunders, & K. Perch-Nielsen(Eds). Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge University
Press: 329-426.

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Presence of specific calcareous nannoplankton
assemblages along the NE Florida continental margin:a look at loop Current shedding and the Desoto Canyon
funnel effectJarrett Cruz
aisha agbaliaaron avery
Sherwood W. Wise

Department of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA

There are a number of hypotheses that provide a multitude of mechanisms for investigating the shifting patterns
in annual water-property characteristics of the Gulf
of Mexico. Most of the available data rely heavily on
numerical experimentation and long-term, acoustic-based
ship-board analysis. However, calcareous nannoplankton,
a large component of the base of the food chain along
the continental margin off the Florida panhandle, canalso be utilized as a biostratigraphic and geomorphologic
tool. Specific species, such as Gladiolithus flabellatus
and Florisphaera profunda, which are normally founddeep in the photic zone, can be used to signal circulation abnormalities. These species can bloom in unusual
places under the proper conditions, such as those initiatedby warm-core eddies. For example, in the summer-fallmonths, warm-core eddy spin-off events are evident in
the numerical data. However, these species can also be
used to trace Loop Current shedding events back to their
origin. We began monthly sampling between August and
September from 2011 to the present along three transects
across the Florida Panhandle shelf. We have collected over
500 samples through the photic zone via Niskin-bottlerosettes, and their quantitative nannoplankton census data
are being taken via scanning electron microscopy. Our
goal is to use these data to link specific nannoplankton
species to annual eddy shedding events and to investigate
the DeSoto Canyon funnel effect during the months of ourstudy interval. We also plan to compare our data with all
available twelve-month data for our four-year samplinginterval.

INA1443

a review of late Oligocene to mid Miocene sphenolithids
from DSDP leg 94, Site 608 and DSDP leg 25, Site 242
Rui O.b.P. da Gama

Shell International Exploration and Production, Inc., Houston, TX, USA; Rui.Da-Gama@shell.com

A high-resolution biostratigraphic study of late Oligocene to early-mid Miocene calcareous nannofossils fromcore samples at Deep Sea Drilling Project (DSDP) Leg
25, Site 242 and Leg 94, Site 608 allowed the verification
and refinement of taxonomic concepts, and introduced
new combinations and several new variations with potential speciation value. In addition, the stratigraphic distribution of sphenolithids from both legs was comparedand suggests globally synchronous events. This study
emphasizes the generic usefulness of providing highresolution mid-Miocene to late Oligocene stratigraphic
subdivisions. The age ranges are described in reference
to Martini (1971) and provide alternative means of subdividing Zones NP24 to NN5.
In addition, the problems of species concepts andvariations on the following groups are emphasized: (1)S. predistentus, S. distentus, and S. ciperoensis; (2) S.
aubryae, S. disbelemnos, and S. dissimilis; (3) S. cf. abies

and S. aubryae (wide); (4) S. cf. spiniger, S. cf. delphix,
S. delphix, and S. tintinabulum; (5) S. delphix, S. calyculus, S. cf. calyculus, and S. cometa; (6) S. cf. proceros
and S. proceros; (7) S. grandis, S. cf. abies (large), S.
conicus, and S. arthurii. Finally, the similarity between
broken Sphenolithus spines and Triquetrorhabdulus carinatus and the problems associated with Helicosphaera
ampliaperta/scissura and ?Helicosphaera granulata forassigning Zones NN2 and NN4 respectively is discussed.
Reference
Martini, E. 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation. Proceedings 2nd
Planktonic Conference, Rome 1969: 739-785.

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a revision of reticulofenestrid taxonomy andbiostratigraphy
Eric de Kaenel

DeKaenel Paleo Research (DPR), CH-2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland; edekaenel@bluewin.ch

Based on exhaustive taxonomic research, a revision of the
Eocene-Holocene reticulofenestrids, including the genera
Dictyococcites and Reticulofenestra, is proposed. A
special attempt has been undertaken to find all publishedspecies of this group in the worldwide literature fromthe middle of the 20th century to today. The first Reticulofenestra micrographs were published by Deflandre &Fert (1954) as Discolithus dictyodus, by Black (1962)
as Coccolithus celticus, and by Hay & Towe (1962) as
Cyathosphaera martinii. The first Dictyococcites species
was published by Hay & Towe (1962) as Heliolithus helianthus. A total of 106 species and subspecies have now
been described in the literature with 27 of them placed in
the genus Dictyococcites and 48 in the genus Reticulofenestra. The other 31 species are either invalid, a juniorsynonym, or more properly belong in another genus.
The generic name Reticulofenestra was introduced by
Hay, Mohler & Wade (1966) and Dictyococcites by Black(1967). Both have been emended several times since then.
A large controversy exists in the use of the genus Dictyococcites since the emendation of Stradner & Edwards(1968). In general, the reticulofenestrids are classified by

Table 1. Classification of the genus Reticulofenestra (Neogene)

their rim structure (Emiliania, Salisia ex Pseudoemiliania), but also by the central area structure as in Gephyrocapsa (presence of a bridge) or in Noelaerhabdus (presence of an apical and/or antapical distal process).
Some authors consider the genus Dictyococcites to besynonymous with Reticulofenestra and do not consider
the variations in the central-area structure to be of genericvalue. The central area structure of Dictyococcites
species is complex and can show important variations,but in general, two layers (proximal and distal) of coarse
elements close the central-area. In Reticulofenestra, thecentral area structure is composed of only one proximallayer and is made of very thin/delicate elements. Becauseof these differences, the birefringence in cross-polarized
light of the central area differs in each genus: Dictyococcites has a bright central area, and Reticulofenestra has
a non-birefringent central area. Important differencesin their biostratigraphic ranges also would also indicate
value in keeping these two genera.
With precise measurements of all holotypes and paratypes completed, it is proposed to reclassify the twogenera based on key indicators: length and width ofde Kaenel, 2013 (INA 14th, Reston, 2013)

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coccoliths (axial ratio: ar), rim length, central area length,
central area structure, and central area surface (ca). Fourtables summarize this proposed classification and facilitate a method for rapid determination of a species (onetable is shown as an example). These four working tables
will allow all nannofossil paleontologists to be consistentin the use of this group for ecological or biostratigraphic
studies. Because coccolith size and shape are two of the
key characteristics for biostratigraphy, some species havebeen split based on those two criteria.
Coccolith shape is not retained as the primary characteristic to separate genera. Both Reticulofenestra andDictyococcites include large variations in shape fromcircular to elliptical. Reticulofenestra rotaria (circular) andReticulofenestra pectinata (normally elliptical) belong to
the same genus. The same variation is observed in Dictyococcites with Dictyococcites reticulatus (circular) andDictyococcites productellus (normally elliptical). Four
new Reticulofenestra species are described. In addition,
two new replacement names and eighteen new combinations are also proposed.

References
Black, M. 1962. Fossil coccospheres from a Tertiary outcrop on the continental slope. Geological Magazine,
99(2): 123-127.
Black, M. 1967. New names for some coccolith taxa. Proceedings of the Geological Society of London, 1640:
139-145.
Deflandre, G. & Fert, C. 1954. Observations sur les Coccolithophoridés actuels et fossiles en microscopie
ordinaire et électronique. Annale de Paléontologie,
40: 115-176.
Hay, W.W., Mohler, H.P. & Wade, ME. 1966. Calcareous nannofossils from Nal'chik (northwest Caucasus).
Eclogae Geologicae Helvetiae, 59(1): 379-400.
Hay, W.W. & Towe, K.M. 1962: Electron microscopic
examination of some coccoliths from Donzacq(France). Eclogae geologicae Helvetiae, 55(2): 497517.
Stradner, H. & Edwards, A.R. 1968. Electron microscopic
studies on upper Eocene coccoliths from the Oamaru
Diatomite, New Zealand. Jahrbuch der Geologischen
Bundesanstalt (Wien), 13: 1-66.

INA1447

Integrated microplankton records of equatorial Pacificecosystem perturbations across the Eocene-Oligocenetransition
Tom Dunkley Jones

School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT UK; t.dunkleyjones@bham.ac.uk

Ted Moore

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; tedmoore@umich.edu

Jack baldauf

Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; jbaldauf@tamu.edu

Paul bown

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK; p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

Kirsty Edgar

School of Earth & Ocean Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK; EdgarK1@Cardiff.ac.uk

bridget Wade

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK; b.wade@ucl.ac.uk

The Eocene-Oligocene transition (E-OT) witnessed themost significant climatic change in the Cenozoic with afundamental reordering of the planet’s oceanic and atmospheric circulation, the cooling of deep and high-latitude
waters, and the formation of continental-scale ice sheetson Antarctica. Records from the equatorial Pacific show
rapid and highly correlated increases in deep-ocean
oxygen and carbon isotopes and a drop in the calcitecompensation depth (CCD) of over a kilometer (Coxall
et al., 2005). The role of surface ocean productivity
changed, especially at low latitudes, and carbon cycle
perturbations remain open to question, as do the immediate causes of significant extinction events in both thecoccolithophore algae and planktic foraminifera throughthe E-OT (Pearson et al., 2008).
Here, we present new, detailed and integrated micropaleontologic analyses of radiolaria, diatoms, planktic foraminifera, and coccolithophores from IODP Site U1334
in the eastern equatorial Pacific. These clearly show aseries of significant biotic events, including enhanced
extinction of the radiolaria and the loss of the multi-rayeddiscoasters, prior to the onset of the major phases ofAntarctic glaciation. Three characteristic phytoplankton
assemblages were identified in the shift from the late
Eocene to the early Oligocene: a late Eocene coccolitho-phore-dominated assemblage (multi-rayed Discoasters,
Coccolithus formosus, and Reticulofenestra dictyoda), atransitional coccolithophore assemblage (increased abundances of R. bisecta), and an earliest Oligocene mixed
coccolithophore-diatom assemblage. The timing andnature of these changes support progressive cooling in thelatest Eocene that is associated with enhanced upwellingin the equatorial Pacific, and which occurred prior to themajor phase of Antarctic ice-sheet growth. Rapid expansion of continental ice sheets is likely a threshold responseto this gradual cooling trend but in turn had a significant
impact on nutrient cycling between the Southern Ocean
and zones of tropical upwelling.
References
Coxall, H.K., Wilson, P.A., Palike, H., Lear, C.H. & Backman, J. 2005. Rapid stepwise onset of Antarctic glaciation and deeper calcite compensation in the Pacific
Ocean. Nature 433: 53-57.
Pearson, P.N, McMillan, I.K., Wade, B.S., Dunkley
Jones, T., Coxall, H.K., Bown, P.R. & Lear, C.H.
2008. Extinction and environmental change across the
Eocene-Oligocene boundary in Tanzania. Geology 36:
179-182.

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The oldest calcareous nannofossils: Middle Triassic
coccoliths from China
Elisabetta Erba

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy; elisabetta.erba@unimi.it

Jiang Da-Yong

Department of Geology & Geological Museum, Beijing University, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, P.R. China; djiang@pku.edu.cn

andrea Tintori

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milan, Italy; andrea.tintori@unimi.it

Ryosuke Motani

Department of Geology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA; rmotani@ucdavis.edu

Calcareous nannofossil investigations were carried out ona few samples from the late Ladinian Zhuganpo Memberof the Falang Formation in an outcrop near the village of
Nimaigu (Wusha District, Xingyi City, Guizhou Province,
southern China). Since August 2011, a scientific excavation has made a bed-by-bed collection that has produced
rich reptilian, fish, and ammonite faunas, including findings of the oldest “flying” fish to date.
A few samples contained relatively frequent and diversified coccoliths and nannoliths. Some of the observed taxa
resemble previously established species, but others havenot been previously documented. It must be emphasizedthat the oldest reliable nannofossils are Carnian in age, so
the findings in the Wusha samples presumably document
the oldest calcareous nannofossils to date. These results
are relevant for dating and understanding coccolithophore
calcification. The relatively diversified assemblages imply
an even older origination for coccolith/nannolith-bearing
phytoplankton. Further analyses are planned in order toexpand the data and characterize the origin, distribution,and evolution of calcareous nannoplankton.

INA1449

life in extreme oceans: calcareous nannoplankton adaptations and strategies during Oceanic anoxic Event 2
Giulia Faucher*giulia.faucher@unimi.it

Elisabetta Erba
elisabetta.erba@unimi.it

Cinzia bottini

cinzia.bottini@unimi.it

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra "A. Desio", Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy

At the present time, about one third of the carbon dioxide(CO2) released in the atmosphere from fossil fuel burning
is absorbed by the oceans. The invasion of anthropogenic CO2 into the oceans increases seawater acidityand decreases carbonate ion concentration and carbonate
saturation. This dramatic change in the carbonate system
can have a huge impact on the marine ecosystem and, inparticular, can seriously impair marine calcifiers (e.g.,corals, foraminifera, and coccolithophores). Coccolithophorid algae are sensitive to ocean acidification, and moststudies show a strong decline in growth and/or reduction
in calcification rate and/or increase in coccolith malformation with increasing CO2 concentration.
During the Cretaceous, the Earth had already experienced extreme environmental change through theconstruction of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) thatformed gigantic oceanic plateaus, which affectedecosystems on a global scale. Volcanism on these provinces probably triggered global warming and enhanced
primary productivity with consequent increased oxygen
consumption and burial of massive amounts of organic
matter at a global scale. These episodes are known as
Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs). We investigated calcareous nannoplankton morphological variation through oneof the most interesting anoxic events of the Cretaceous,the latest Cenomanian OAE2. This episode of global
anoxia is associated with the formation of the Caribbean
Plateau (CP) that triggered a massive release of excess
CO2, causing general global warming. Recent studiesof the OAE2 episode have demonstrated the existenceof climatic variability and fluctuations in the atmCO2
concentration. In fact, a cooling episode and CO2 drop in
the early phase of OAE2 is connected with a weathering
spike, followed by a new increase in CO2 and warming.
We investigated OAE2 sections from Sicily, southern
France, England, and Colorado. The major result that we
observed was a change to tiny/dwarf coccoliths, althoughof differing amplitudes, through OAE2. Calcareous
nannofossil size variations followed the pCO2 fluctuations and recorded an increase in size when pCO2 started
to decrease, while dwarf coccoliths were coeval with astrong increase in CO2. The record of paleofertility during
OAE2 was not straightforward, and mid-latitude localities seem to have been affected by a decrease in nutrient
availability, whereas, in the Atlantic tropical waters, thenutrient content increased. Comparing these data with
our morphometric results, we noticed a lack of repetitive
pattern. Therefore, it seems unlikely that nutrient content
controlled coccolith dwarfism during OAE2.
Another selected case history is the Aptian OAE1a,which was associated with the submarine constructionof the Ontong Java Plateau (OJP) that triggered a disruption of the oceanic carbonate system. At the onset ofthe carbon isotopic anomaly, during the most profoundpaleoenvironmental perturbation, excess CO2 caused
ocean acidification, which resulted in a temporary failureof the rock-forming nannoconids and the formation of
dwarf and malformed coccoliths.
The inferred warmer conditions and excess CO2 during
intervals of LIPs’ volcanism suggest a potential influenceon nannoplankton calcification. Hydrothermal plumes
during construction of both the OJP and the CP introduced biolimiting metals that fertilized the global ocean.
However, some toxic metals may have disturbed thefunctioning or hampered calcification of some intolerantcoccolithophorid species.
Different patterns and degrees of dwarfism andmalformation during OAE1a and OAE2 suggest unequal
volcanic CO2 emissions (rates, pulses, and amount) and/or variable combinations of CO2, climate, and fertility.
LIPs’ emplacement through geologic time, therefore, only
resulted in limited similarities in their effect on coccolithophorid species.

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Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphic studies in thevisayan basin (central Philippines)
allan Gil S. Fernando

Robert G. Jenkins

adrian Raymund C. Fernandez

Takehiro Nanjo

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines;
agsfernando@yahoo.com
National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines;
agsfernando@yahoo.com

Clarence Y. Magtoto*

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines;
renz_y_magtoto@yahoo.com

abigael l. Castro*

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines;
abbey_castro21@yahoo.com

Yolanda M. aguilar

Petrolab, Mines Geosciences Bureau, North Ave., Diliman, Quezon
City, Philippines

Yukito Kurihara

Faculty of Education, Mie University, 1577 Kurimamachiya-cho,
Tsu, Mie 514-8507, Japan; kurihara@kahaku.go.jp

Ryoji Wani

Interdisciplinary Research Center, Yokohama National University,
Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Institute of Science & Engineering, Faculty of Natural System,
Kanazawa University, Kakumamachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture920-1192, Japan
EDHS, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Prefecture 240-8501, Japan

Shungo Kawagata

EDHS, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Prefecture 240-8501, Japan

Chie Kusu

EDHS, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Prefecture 240-8501, Japanakari Okada

EDHS, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Prefecture 240-8501, Japan

Hideki Wada

Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan

Ryuichi Majima

EDHS, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Kanagawa
Prefecture 240-8501, Japan

Tomoki Kase

National Museum of Nature & Science, Tokyo, Japan;
kase@kahaku.go.jp

Hiroki Hayashi

Interdisciplinary Faculty of Science & Engineering, Shimane
University, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture 690-8504, Japan;
hayashi@riko.shimane-u.ac.jp

The Visayan Basin is a northeast-southwest trending
sedimentary basin located in the central part of the Philippines. The basin consists of Cretaceous volcanic flows
and intrusives, and folded and slightly metamorphosed
Cretaceous sediments that are overlain by Eocene andyounger sedimentary formations, including the marine
sediments that were deposited from late Oligocene toPleistocene (Porth et al., 1989). This study in the Visayan
Basin began in 2003, as part of the research program on
the “Cenozoic molluscan faunal study and refinement of
Cenozoic formations in the Philippines”. As part of thisprogram, samples for calcareous nannofossil analysis
were collected on Bohol Island, southeast Negros, andnorthwest Leyte where the fossil mollusks had beencollected in order to establish the age of the molluskbearing units and, at the same time, refine the stratigraphy
and age of the sedimentary formations.
On Bohol Island, nannofossil analysis of the samples
resulted in the recognition of a late Miocene sedimentary unit in an area that was previously mapped as partof a middle Miocene formation. Zone NN11 (CN9) wasestablished based on the occurrence of Discoaster quinqueramus and Discoaster berggrenii. Several sections
were investigated on Negros Island, and the results
include: (1) the recognition of a late Oligocene sedimentary unit in an area previously mapped as late Miocene
to early Pliocene and (2) confirmation of the late Oligo-

cene to earliest Miocene age of the Escalante Formation(assigned to Zones NP24 - NN1) based on the occurrenceof marker taxa Cyclicargolithus abisectus, C. floridanus,
Reticulofenestra bisecta, R. daviesii, Discoaster deflandrei, Helicosphaera recta, Sphenolithus ciperoensis,
S. distentus, S. predistentus, and S. delphix. The southeastern part of Negros Island is one of the few localities
in the Philippines where the fossil mollusk Vicarya canbe found. The Oligocene age obtained from nannofossils,
therefore, suggests that the study area includes the oldest
fossil record of Vicarya in the Philippines and probably
in Asia.
Northwest Leyte is located in the northeastern part of
the Visayan Basin. The area is known as one of the very
few localities in the world with well-preserved fossilsof chemosynthetic mollusks that represent cold-seep
assemblages (Majima et al., 2007, 2010). Investigation ofseveral sections revealed a diverse assemblage of Pliocene
to Pleistocene calcareous nannofossils. The nannofossil
assemblage confirms that the chemosynthetic mollusk
assemblages are Pliocene in age, corresponding to Zones
NN12-NN15. The Pliocene was recognized based on theoccurrence of Amaurolithus tricorniculatus, Ceratolithus
armatus, Discoaster tamalis, Discoaster blackstockae,
Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus, and Sphenolithus
abies. The Pleistocene, on the other hand, was recognizedbased on the occurrence of large (>5um) Gephyrocapsa

INA14

spp., large circular forms of Pseudoemiliania lacunosa,
and the LO of Calcidiscus macintyrei. Based on established nannofossil biostratigraphy, there was a considerable gap within the investigated sections, corresponding
to Zones NN16-NN18, suggesting that there was anerosional and/or non-depositional event that spanned atleast 1.8 million years during the late Pliocene. This may
correspond to a basin-wide unconformity during the late
Pliocene-Pleistocene interval in the Visayan Basin (Porthet al., 1989). A diverse assemblage of scyphosphaerids
also was present in the Pliocene mudstones of the investigated sections within Zones NN13-NN15. This probably
corresponds to the abundance acme of the genus reported
by Siesser (1998) from the late Miocene to late Pliocene
interval (Zones NN9-NN15), which is now recognized forthe first time in the Visayan Basin.

51

References
Majima, R., Kase, T., Kawagata, S., Aguilar, Y.M., Hagino, K. & Maeda, M. 2007. Fossil cold-seep assemblages from Leyte Island, Philippines. Journal of
Geography, 116: 643-652.
Majima, R., Jenkins, R.G., Kase, T., Aguilar, Y.M., Nanjo,T., Wani, R., Wada, H., Fernando, A.G.S. & Hayashi,
H. 2010. In situ Calyptogena colonies from Pliocene
back-arc basin fills in Leyte Island, Philippines. Journal of the Geological Society of Japan, 116(10); XVXVI.
Porth, H., Müller, C. & von Daniels, C. H. 1989. The
sedimentary formations of the Visayan Basin, Philippines. In: H. Porth and H. von Daniels (Eds). On the
Geology and Hydrocarbon Prospects of the Visayan
Basin, Philippines. Geologisches Jahrbuch, Reihe B,
70: 28-88.
Siesser, W.G. 1998. Calcareous nannofossil Genus Scyphosphaera: structure, taxonomy, biostratigraphy, andphylogeny. Micropaleontology, 44(4): 351-384.

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Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of selected sedimentary formations on Negros Island (visayan basin,
Central Philippines)
allan Gil S. Fernando

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines;
agsfernando@yahoo.com

Clarence Y. Magtoto*

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines;
renz_y_magtoto@yahoo.com

Yolanda M. aguilar

Petrolab, Mines & Geosciences Bureau, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

Yukito Kurihara

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature & Science, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan; kurihara@kahaku.go.jp

Tomoki Kase

Department of Geology & Paleontology, National Museum of Nature & Science, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan; kase@kahaku.go.jp

Negros Island (central Philippines) occupies the southwestern part of the Visayan Basin, which has been theobject of petroleum exploration for the past 100 years.
Despite this, very few sedimentological and calcareous
nannofossil studies have been done in the area. In orderto refine the ages of the sedimentary formations and thestratigraphy of the island, the calcareous nannofossil
biostratigraphy of several sections on Negros Island wasinvestigated.
The present study focused on the south-central part ofthe island where late Oligocene to early Pliocene sedimentary units are exposed. The oldest sedimentary unit
is represented by the Escalante Formation, which was

assigned to nannofossil Zones NP24 to NN1. The zones
were established using the occurrence of Cyclicargolithus
abisectus, Cyclicargolithus floridanus, Reticulofenestra
bisecta, Reticulofenestra daviesii, Discoaster deflandrei,
Helicosphaera recta, Sphenolithus ciperoensis, Sphenolithus distentus, Sphenolithus predistentus, and Sphenolithus delphix. The data suggest a late Oligocene age forthe mollusk Vicarya spp., which was collected from thesame formation. The present study also reports the presence of previously unrecognized early to middle Miocene
sedimentary units in the study area, which will change
the current understanding of the stratigraphy of Negros
Island.

INA1453

advances in calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy basedon Toarcian-aalenian sections from the lusitanian basin(Portugal)
Jorge Ferreira

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, Villeurbanne, France. Centre and Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal; zygodiscus@gmail.com

Emanuela Mattioli

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, Villeurbanne, France; emanuela.mattioli@univ-lyon1.fr

bernard Pittet

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, Villeurbanne Cedex, France; bernard.pittet@univ-lyon1.fr

Mário Cachão

Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal; mcachao@fc.ul.pt

Two sections from the Jurassic Lusitanian Basin (LB)
were studied for calcareous nannofossil content. Thisbasin lay along the western margin of the Iberian Meseta
and was bounded on the west by the Berlengas-Farilhões
igneous and metamorphic basement horst. This narrowbasin had an approximate N-S orientation and was locatedat a paleolatitude of 25-30ºN (Dercourt et al., 2000).
Lower Jurassic carbonate sediments were deposited on ahomoclinal low-angle ramp that dipped NW (Duarte &Soares, 2002; Duarte, 2004).
The lower to middle Toarcian section from Rabaçal
represents the most proximal marine setting of the LB,
and the upper Toarcian to middle Aalenian section from
Cabo Mondego is the most distal location. Both sections
are characterized by limestone-marl alternation with
common ammonites, belemnites, gastropods, bivalves,and brachiopods. In the 42 m of the Rabaçal section thatspan the Polymorphum, Levisoni, and Bifrons ammonite
Zones (AZ), 138 samples were examined. In the 85 m of
the Cabo Mondego section that span the Maneghinii (?),
Aalensis, and Opalinun AZ, 72 samples were examined.
All samples were prepared using the random settlingtechnique described by Geisen et al. (1999) and studied
under an optical polarized microscope with x1000 magnification. Whenever possible, at least 300 coccoliths werecounted, thus species making up more than 1.7% of thetotal assemblage were recorded with a confidence levelof 99.5%, and species with more than 0.9% of the assemblage at a confidence level of 95% (Fatela & Taborda,
2002).
The calcareous nannofossil assemblage was fairly
diverse throughout the Rabaçal section, although sometimes scarce and badly preserved. The transition from theLevisoni to the Bifrons AZ (lower to middle Toarcian) was
marked by the last occurrence (LO) of Mitrolithus jansae
and the first occurrence (FO) of Watznaueria fossacincta
in the Levisoni AZ, followed almost immediately by the
FO of Watznaueria colacicchii in the lowermost Bifrons
AZ. Although Mattioli & Erba (1999) recorded W. colaccichii FO in the uppermost lower Toarcian, poor preservation may explain its absence in the Levisoni AZ.
The FO of Discorhabdus striatus in the Levisoni AZ is
an indicator for the uppermost part of the Levisoni AZ,

according to the Bown & Cooper (1998) and Mattioli &Erba (1999) biozonation scheme for this interval. Mattioli& Erba (1999) recorded the FO of Carinolithus superbus
in the Polymorphum AZ, but this taxon’s FO was only
observed in the Levisoni AZ at Rabaçal. This species’
delayed appearance may be due to environmental conditions.
The Cabo Mondego section contained more pristine,
diverse, and abundant calcareous nannofossils. Althoughan ammonite biozone calibration has not yet been madefor this location, and the Toarcian-Aalenian boundary
cannot be identified due to the lack of robust FO/LO
bioevents, the Cabo Mondego section did contain the LO
of Crepidolithus cavus and the FO of Retecapsa incompta
in the upper Toarcian stage, indicating the top of the Toarcian (Mattioli & Erba, 1999). Another bioevent, the FO
of Watznaueria contracta in the uppermost Toarcian, islikely to be a close indicator for the Toarcian-Aalenian
boundary. A calibration of calcareous nannofossils with
the AZ and a detailed biometric study are in progress, andthey may soon shed some light on the evolutionary transition from Lotharingius to Watznaueria where intermediate morphologies make species identification difficult.
Nevertheless, at Cabo Mondego, the Toarcian-Aalenian
boundary was identified by the LO of C. cavus, the FO of
R. incompta and W. contracta in the upper Toarcian, andthe FO of Hexalithus magharensis and the LO of Bussonius prinsii and B. leufuensis in the Opalinum AZ (lower
Aalenian), the latter ones following the de Kaenel et al.
(1996) zonation scheme for Portugal. In this work, the LO
of Carinolithus poulnabronei occurred in the upper Toarcian, probably in the Aalensis AZ, earlier than reported by
Mattioli & Erba (1999).
References
Bown, P.R. & Cooper, M.K.E. 1998. Jurassic. In: P.R.
Bown (Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy.
Cambridge, 34-85.
de Kaenel, E., Bergen, J.A. & Perch-Nielsen, K. von S.
1996. Jurassic calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of western Europe. Compilation of recent studies and calibration of bioevents. Bulletin de la Société
Géologique de France, 167: 15-28.

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Dercourt, J., Gaetani, M. & Vrielynck, B. 2000. Atlas
Peri-Téthys and explaining notes (S. Crasquin coord.)
CCGM, Paris.
Duarte, L.V. 2004. The geological heritage of the Lower
Jurassic of Central Portugal: selected sites, inventory and main scientific arguments. Rivista Italiana diPaleontologia e Stratigrafia, 110: 381-387.
Duarte, L.V. & Soares, A.F. 2002. Litostratigrafia dasséries margo-calcárias do Jurássico inferior da Bacia
Lusitânica (Portugal). Comunicações do Instituto
Geológico e Mineiro, 89: 135-154.
Fatela, F. & Taborda, R. 2002. Confidence limits of species proportions in microfossil assemblages. Marine
Micropaleontology, 45: 169-174.

Geisen, M., Bollmann, J., Herrle, J.O., Mutterlose, J. &Young, J.R. 1999. Calibration of the random settlingtechnique for calculation of absolute abundances ofcalcareous nannoplankton. Micropaleontology, 45:
437-442.
Mattioli, E. 1997. Nannoplankton productivity and diagenesis in the rhythmically bedded Toarcian-Aalenian
Fiuminata section (Umbria-Marche Apennine, central
Italy). Palaeoceanography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 130: 113-133.
Mattioli, E. & Erba, E. 1999. Synthesis of calcareous
nannofossil events in the Tethyan Lower and Middle
Jurassic successions. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia
e Stratigrafia, 105: 343-376.

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Middle Eocene – lower Oligocene nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoceanography from ODP Site 711(Equatorial Indian Ocean)
Chiara Fioroni

Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, 41121 Modena, Italy; chiara.fioroni@
unimore.it

Davide Persico

Università degli Studi di Parma, Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra “M. Melloni”, 43124 Parma, Italy; davide.persico@unipr.it

Giuliana villa

Università degli Studi di Parma, Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra “M. Melloni”, 43124 Parma, Italy; giuliana.villa@unipr.it

luigi Jovane

Instituto Oceanografico, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508–120, Brazil; luigijovane@gmail.com

Quantitative nannofossil assemblage analysis was
conducted on middle Eocene- lower Oligocene sedimentsfrom Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 711, located in
the western equatorial Indian Ocean. The aim of this work
was primarily to increase the biostratigraphic resolution
for this time interval, comparing the reliability of theresults with recently proposed additional bioevents (e.g.,
Bown & Dunkley Jones, 2012; Toffanin et al., in press).
A high-resolution quantitative study across a ~12 myrtime interval allowed the recognition of 29 nannofossil
bioevents. Recent magnetostratigraphic data obtained forthis site (Savian et al., 2013) made it possible to date thebioevents, compare them with other sites from low to highlatitudes, and evaluate their reproducibility within andoutside the equatorial region.
Precise dating through the use of biomagnetostratigraphy allows the identification of variations in the nannofossil assemblage in response to global climatic andpaleoceanographic events, such as the Middle Eocene
Climatic Optimum (MECO) and the earliest Oligocene

Oi-1. In the equatorial Indian Ocean, this confirms influences due to the transition of the Earth's climate from theearly Paleogene "Greenhouse" into the late Paleogene"Icehouse”.
References
Bown, P.R. & Dunkley Jones, T. 2012. Calcareous nannofossils from the Paleogene equatorial Pacific (IODP
Expedition 320 Sites U1331-1334). Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 32(2): 3-51.
Savian, J.F., Jovane, L., Bohaty, S.M. & Wilson, P.A.
2013. Middle Eocene to early Oligocene magnetostratigraphy of ODP Hole 711A (Leg 115), westernequatorial Indian Ocean. Geological Society of London, Special Publication, 373, doi: 10.1144/SP373.16.
Toffanin F., Agnini, C., Rio, D., Acton, G. & Westerhold,T. In press. Middle Eocene to early Oligocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy at IODP Site U1333(equatorial Pacific). Micropaleontology.

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Preliminary Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil
biostrati-graphy for IODP Site 1385 (Shackleton Site)
José-a. Flores

Maria F. Sanchez Goñi

barbara balestra

Francisco Sierro Sanchez

University of Salamanca, Department of Geology, Spain; flores@
usal.es
University of California Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Science,
Santa Cruz, CA, USA; balestrabb@gmail.com

Gary acton

University of California, Davis, Department of Geology, Davis, CA,
USA; gdacton@ucdavis.edu

Carlos alvarez-Zarikian

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program & Department of Oceanography,
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; zarikian@iodp.
tamu.edu

Patrick Grunert

Université de Bordeaux I, Bordeaux, France; mf.sanchezgoni@
epoc.u-bordeaux1.fr
University of Salamanca, Department of Geology, Salamanca, Spain;
sierro@usal.esarun D. Singh

Department of Geology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar
Pradesh, India; arundeosingh@yahoo.com

Dorrik a.v. Stow

Institute of Petroleum Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK; dorrik.stow@pet.hw.ac.uk

antje voelker

Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Graz, Austria; patrick.
grunert@uni-graz.at

Geology and Marine Georesources Division, Portuguese Institutefor the Ocean and the Atmosphere, Lisbon, Portugal; antje.voelker@
lneg.pt

Departmento Geociencias Marinas, Universidad de Vigo, Facultad deCinencias del Mar, 36310 Vigo, Spain; fjherman@uvigo.es

School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton,
Southampton, UK; C.Xuan@soton.ac.uk

Francisco J. Hernández-Molina
David Hodell

University of Cambridge, Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge,
UK; dhod07@esc.cam.ac.uk

baohua li

Department of Micropalaeontology, Nanjing Institute of Geology andPalaeontology, Nanjing, P.R. China; bh-li@nigpas.ac.cn

Chuang Xuan

IODP Expeditions 339 Scientists

Bahr, A., Ducassou. E., Flood, R., Furota, S., Jimenez-Espejo, F.,
Kim, J. K., Krissek, L., Kuroda, J., Llave, E., Lofi, J., Lourens, L.,
Miller, M., Nanayama, F., Nishida, N., Roque, C., Sloss, C., Takashimizu, Y., Tzanova, A., Williams, T.

Carl Richter

University of Louisiana, Department of Geology and Energy Institute, Lafayette, LA, USA; crichter@louisiana.edu

One of the objectives expressed for IODP Expedition
339 (Mediterranean Outflow) was “producing a marinereference section of Pleistocene millennial-scale climate
variability and changes in surface and deep-water circulation. Climate signals from this reference section will
constrain the temporal relationships of abrupt climatechange recorded in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, the polar
ice cores, and European terrestrial records” (Stow et al.,2011). To carry out this objective, IODP Site U1385 wasselected and drilled on the Portuguese margin at a location close to the Shackleton Site MD95-2042 (in honor of
the late Sir Nick Shackleton; 37°48'N 10°10'W, 3146 m).
The Site U1385 core has preserved a high-fidelity recordof millennial-scale climate variability for the last glacial
cycle that can be correlated precisely to polar ice coresin both hemispheres. For this glacial, surface waters at
the site have a Northern Hemisphere signal, while bottom
waters have a Southern Hemisphere influence (Shackleton et al., 2000). The peculiar position of this site alsooffers the possibility for a comparison with terrestrial
records from the Iberian Peninsula, which is an exceptional opportunity for combining and correlating paleo-

climatic signals.
IODP Site U1385 was recovered using a triple APC
technique, ensuring a continuous record that covers thelast 1.2 Ma. We present preliminary results on the succession of standard and alternative calcareous nannofossil
events. At this time, we offer a preliminary calibration
with the paleomagnetic and astronomical signal that wasestimated by comparing geophysical and logging parameters. In the future, the availability of a refined isotope
curve will permit a more accurate calibration in a sectionthat can be referenced for mid-latitudes in the Atlantic
Ocean.
References
Shackleton, N.J., Hall, M.A. & Vincent, E. 2000. Phase
relationships between millennial-scale events 64,000–
24,000 years ago. Paleoceanography, 15(6): 565–569.
Stow, D., Hernandez-Molina, F.J., Hodell, D. & Alvarez
Zarikian, C.A. 2011. Mediterranean outflow: environmental significance of the Mediterranean Outflow
Water and its global implications. IODP Scientific Prospectus, 339. doi:10.2204/iodp.sp.339.2011

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biostratigraphy of lower Jurassic calcareous nannofossils
from the Schandelah core (NW Germany)Ángela Fraguas

Jörg Pross

Jens O. Herrlebas van de Schootbrugge

Fraguas@em.uni-frankfurt.dejens.herrle@em.uni-frankfurt.dejoerg.pross@em.uni-frankfurt.devan.de.schootbrugge@em.uni-frankfurt.deInstitute of Geosciences, Goethe University Frankfurt, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany

A comprehensive calcareous nannofossil zonation scheme
for the Lower Jurassic in low- to mid-latitude sequencesfrom NW Europe was proposed by Bown & Cooper(1998), and it has been successfully applied in Italy andsouthern France (Mattioli & Erba, 1999) and northern
Spain (Perilli et al., 2010). However, a detailed nannofossil zonation is currently not available for the Lower
Jurassic of NW Germany.
The Schandelah core comprises a 338-meter thicksuccession of Toarcian to Rhaetian sediments. A totalof 110 samples were taken every 1 to 3 m and preparedfor semiquantitative analyses. Calcareous nannofossils
were rare to common and moderately to well preserved.
Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy was mainly based
upon the first and last occurrences (FO and LO) of age
diagnostic species. All calcareous nannofossil zones
and subzones (CNZ and CNSz), as well as the main andsecondary calcareous nannofossil events defined by Bown
& Cooper (1998), were identified.
Schizosphaerella punctulata was found in the lower
part of the Hettangian. The FO of S. punctulata defines
the base of the NJ1 S. punctulata CNZ. This species is
continuously present and rare to common throughout
the Schandelah core. A sharp decrease of S. punctulata
was observed slightly above the Toarcian-Pliensbachianboundary, which represents the Schizosphaerella crisis
described in different European basins (Mattioli et al.,2008; Fraguas et al., 2012). The species Parhabdolithus
liasicus first occurred below the Hettangian-Sinemurian
boundary. This main event defines the base of the NJ2
P. liasicus CNZ. The first appearances of Crepidolithus
pliensbachensis and Mitrolithus elegans were foundslightly above this, further supporting the position of the
Hettangian-Sinemurian boundary in the Schandelah core.
The NJ2 P. liasicus CNZ is divided into two subzones,
NJ2a Parhabdolithus marthae and NJ2b M. elegans,based on the LO of P. marthae. This event occurs within
the upper Sinemurian obtusum Zone. The most important biostratigraphic marker for the Sinemurian stage is
Crepidolithus crassus, which first occurred at the upper
Sinemurian oxynotum-raricostatum Zone boundary. This
event defines the base of the NJ3 Crepidolithus crassus
CNZ.
The FO of Similiscutum cruciulus is located near
the lower Pliensbachian jamesoni-ibex Zone boundary,marking the base of the NJ4 S. cruciulus CNZ. This zone
is subdivided into two subzones, NJ4a C. pliensbachensis
and NJ4b Crepidolithus granulatus, on the basis of the

LO of P. robustus. In the Schandelah core, this event
occurred at the lower Pliensbachian ibex-davoei Zone
boundary. The FO of the index species Lotharingius
hauffii occurred in the lowermost part of the upper Pliensbachian margaritatus Zone. This event defines the base of
the NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii CNZ. The FO of Biscutum
finchii was located in the same place. Lotharingius sigillatus first occurs within the margaritatus Zone. The FO of
L. sigillatus in the Schandelah core was earlier compared
to NW Europe (Bown & Cooper, 1998) and northern
Spain (Perilli et al., 2010), where this event lies within
the spinatum Zone. The NJ5 Lotharingius hauffii CNZ
is divided into two subzones, NJ5a B. finchii and NJ5b
Crepidolithus impontus, based on the FO of C. impontus.
In the Schandelah core, C. impontus appeared within themargaritatus Zone.
The first biostratigraphic marker found in the Toarcian
stage was Carinolithus superbus, which first occurred
within the serpentinum Zone. This event defines thebase of the NJ6 Carinolithus superbus CNZ. The FO of
Discorhabdus striatus is located within the bifrons Zone,
and it marks the beginning of the NJ7 Discorhabdus striatus CNZ.
acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Spanish research project
CGL2011-25894 and the Goethe University of Frankfurt.
References
Bown, P.R. & Cooper, M.K.E. 1998. Jurassic. In: P.R.
Bown (Ed.). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy.
Kluwer Academic, London: 34-86.
Fraguas, A., Comas-Rengifo, M.J., Gómez, J.J & Goy, A.
2012. The calcareous nannofossil crisis in Northern
Spain (Asturias province) linked to the Early Toarcian
warming-driven mass extinction. Marine Micropaleontology, 94-95: 58-71.
Mattioli, E. & Erba, E. 1999. Synthesis of calcareous nannofossil events in Tethyan Lower and Middle Jurassic
successions. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 105: 343-376.
Mattioli, E., Pittet, B., Suan, G. & Mailliot, S. 2008. Calcareous nannoplankton changes across the early Toarcian oceanic anoxic event in the western Tethys. Paleoceanography, 23: PA3208.
Perilli, N., Fraguas, A. & Comas-Rengifo, M. J. 2010.
Reproducibility and reliability of the Pliensbachiancalcareous nannofossil biohorizons from the BasqueCantabrian Basin (N Spain). Geobios, 43: 77-85.

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INA1459

a new technique for observing calcareous nannofossils:
methodology and applications.
Miguel a. Fuertes*
fuertes@usal.es

José a. Flores
flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro
sierro@usal.es

Grupo de Geociencias Oceánicas, Departamento de Geología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain

A new technique for observing calcareous nannofossils
is presented. It will have a wide range of applications in
nannofossil biometry and identification and for measuring
the calcite quantity produced by coccolithophores. Whenobserved with this technique, the shape of the coccolith iscloser to its real shape than when linear polarized light isused. This results in more accurate measurements because
the boundaries of the coccoliths are clearly defined.
Although descriptions of the taxa have previously been
done observing coccoliths with linear polarization, the
new technique is useful because there is no need to rotate
the stage in order to identify all the parts, such as thebridge, or to detect all the coccoliths that are in the sample.
The use of this technique can also overcome some of the
problems that currently exist in automated systems for

identifying and counting taxa in a sample because there
is no need to compare several images from the same fieldof view from different angles. All the coccoliths can beseen at once, and the shape of the coccoliths is always thesame.
The new technique was developed because calculationof the amount of calcite produced by coccolithophores
is a very important application. Images taken with the
new technique allow the user to determine the volumeof tiny calcite platelets because a single coccolith can beselected and measured. The method can also be applied to
a complete field of view so that the amount of calcite ina sample can be automatically measured, which makes
it possible to calculate the effect of coccoliths on the
carbonate flux.

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Coccolithophore variability in response to coastal upwelling in the west coast of the baja California Peninsula
Felipe de Jesús García Romero

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, C.P. 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México; Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas,
Departamento de Oceanología, C.P. 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México; fjgarcia87@hotmail.com

M. Mara Y. Cortés

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, C.P. 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México; mycortes@uabcs.mx

Fernando aguirre bahenaCentro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Oceanología, C.P. 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México;
faguirre@ipn.mx

Jörg bollmann

Departament of Earth Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1; bollmann@geology.utoronto.ca

Rafael Cervantes Duarte

Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Oceanología, C.P. 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México;
rcervan@ipn.mx

The coccolithophore community was analyzed from ahighly productive zone adjacent to Magdalena Bay on thewest coast of the Baja California Peninsula from October
2009 to June 2010. Fifty-four water samples from 0
to 60 m were collected monthly at an oceanographic
station located at 24°31.85'N 112°06.431'W. Approximately two liters of seawater were filtered on polycarbonate membranes. Subsequently, 1500 images of eachmembrane were taken with a Zeiss Supra VP55 scanningelectron microscope. The digitized samples were analyzed
offline on a PC with the AnalySIS®-pro 5.0 imaging
program. The oceanographic characterization was doneusing CTD data collected on a monthly basis, as well as
using online data from NOAA, NASA, and Oregon State

University. Of the 94 taxa identified, Emiliania huxleyi,
Gephyrocapsa oceanica, Syracosphaera orbiculus, andFlorisphaera profunda var. elongata (median) were themost abundant species in a sample (>30%). The species
richness and diversity (Shannon-Weaver, H) showed
high values (43 species and 2.7 H) prior to maximum
upwelling (March to June). These values then decreased
to 29 species (2.26 H), and assemblages were dominatedby generalist species (e.g., E. huxleyi). However, total
cell density did not change significantly prior to (65x103
cells/l at 10 m in January) or during the maximum periodof upwelling (67x103 cells/l at 0 m in April). Temperatureappeared to be the main factor driving coccolithophorecell density and succession in the studied area.

INA1461

Calcareous nannofossils across the K-T boundary at Um
Sohryngkew, Meghalaya, northeastern India
Rahul Garg

rahulbsip@gmail.com

Jyotsana Rai

Jyotsana_rai@Yahoo.com

abha Singhabha.maurya@gmail.com

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow -226007, India

The Um Sohryngkew section in Meghalaya, northeast
India, exposes one of the most complete, shallow-marine,
Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary (K-Pg) sequences in theworld. It contains an Iridium (Ir) anomaly, a δ13C shift,
and a thin red K-Pg layer. The section provides an excellent record of the abrupt mass extinction of Cretaceous
calcareous nannofossils below the Ir-spike-bearing redlayer and the first appearance of typical Danian markers
in the immediately overlying sediments. Investigations of the distribution of moderately to well-preserved
nannofossils across the K-Pg transition reveal a succession of well-established global datum events within thelate Maastrichtian-early Danian interval (Micula murus,
Micula prinsii, Biantholithus sparsus, Neobiscutumromeinii, Neobiscutum parvulum, and Cruciplacolithus
primus). Five zones, including CC26a, CC26b, and threesubzones within Zone NP1/CP1 (Neobiscutum romeinii,
Neobiscutum parvulum, and Cruciplacolithus primus)
are identified. These zones correlated with nannofossil
zonations known from the Tethyan and low-mid latitudesections from different parts of the world and the planktic
foraminiferal zonation of this section.
Quantitative analysis of the nannofossils in the studiedinterval demonstrates a nannofossil succession patterncomprising “Cretaceous”, “Paleogene”, and “survivor”
species similar to that observed at several stratigraphi-

cally complete sections across the globe. Latest Maastrichtian assemblages were abundant and diverse with
Cretaceous species richness showing minor fluctuating
trends. Micula decussata and Watznaueria barnesae
were the most abundant species, and Arkhangelskiellacymbiformis, Eiffellithus turriseifelli, Prediscosphaera
cretacea, and Cribrosphaerella ehrenbergii were thenext most common species. Their percentages fluctuatedbefore extinction occurred for all Cretaceous species at
the K-Pg. The predominance of dissolution-resistant M.
decussata reflects a sustained period of high environmental stress. However, the common occurrence of dissolution-prone species (P. cretacea, C. ehrenbergii, and M.
prinsii) precludes a major effect from dissolution.
Only very minor reworking of Cretaceous species wasnoted in the basal Danian. No Thoracosphaera blooms at
the K-Pg boundary were recorded in the present section.
The first appearance of the incoming Paleogene species
Neobiscutum romeinii was noted just above the Ir-rich redlayer, followed by Biantholithus sparsus, Neobiscutum
parvulum, and Cruciplacolithus primus, in ascendingorder. The Um Sohryngkew Section is considered to bea rare, low-latitude K-Pg section lying close to the paleoequator with a complete biostratigraphic record provided
by nannofossils, planktonic foraminifera, and dinoflagellate cysts.

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Phosphorus limitation does not change the ratio of calcite
to organic carbon in Coccolithus spp.
andrea Gerecht

CEES, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; a.c.gerecht@ibv.uio.noluka Šupraha*

Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden; luka.supraha@geo.uu.se

bente Edvardsen

Marine Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; bente.edvardsen@ibv.uio.no

Ian Probert

Biological Station Roscoff, 29680 Roscoff, France; probert@sb-roscoff.fr

Jorijntje Henderiks

CEES, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, 75236 Uppsala,Sweden; jorijntje.henderiks@geo.uu.se

The ratio of calcite (PIC) to organic carbon (POC) incoccolithophores is an important variable in oceanatmosphere-CO2-exchange. Photosynthesis binds CO2
into organic matter, whereas calcification releases it, sothat the PIC/POC-ratio determines whether a coccolithophore bloom acts as a source or a sink of CO2. Numerous
studies have shown that this ratio can be modified byenvironmental parameters such as ocean pH, temperature,salinity, and nutrients, and yet most studies have focusedon the cosmopolitan species, Emiliania huxleyi. Althoughabundant in the modern ocean, E. huxleyi may not be thebest representative of coccolithophores’ general response
towards changing environmental parameters because
species-specific responses towards ocean acidificationthat have been described for it. We therefore studied two
species of the genus Coccolithus, C. pelagicus and C.
braarudii, which produce heavily calcified coccoliths andcontribute substantially to marine carbonate production,with PIC/POC-ratios generally above unity. We examinedthe effect of phosphorus limitation, a parameter predicted
to change with a warming climate, on growth and calcification in these species by growing triplicate batch
cultures under phosphate limiting and nutrient replete
conditions. Organic carbon production in the cultures was
examined by means of growth rate, cellular POC quota,

and cell size. Inorganic carbon production was evaluatedby cellular PIC quota and coccosphere and coccolith size,
as well as coccolith malformations.
Phosphorus limitation did not influence exponential
growth rates but led to lower cell densities in the stationary
phase and a significantly lower cellular phosphorus quota.
Phosphorus-limited cultures had increased cell andcoccosphere sizes compared to nutrient replete cultures.
However, mean coccolith size was the same under bothnutrient regimes, and larger cells were covered by more,rather than larger, coccoliths. Although the percentage ofmalformed coccoliths increased slightly under phosphorus
limitation, there was no overall change in PIC/POC-ratios
between phosphorus-limited and nutrient-replete cultures.
It appears that C. pelagicus, in contrast to E. huxleyi, has
limited plasticity to increase its cellular calcite quota. A
primary reason for this may be that this species produces
a single coccolith layer, whereas E. huxleyi has a highcapacity for increasing PIC quota by forming multiple
coccolith layers. This fundamental difference between
lineages needs to be taken into consideration whenmodeling climate feedback of coccolithophore blooms aschanging nutrient availability will presumably not change
PIC/POC ratios in single-coccolith-layer species, such as
C. pelagicus and C. braarudii.

INA1463

The mid-Cenomanian event in a Tethyan section(blieux, SE France): integrated stratigraphy andpaleoenvironmental conditions
Fabienne Giraud

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; Fabienne.Giraud-Guillot@ujf-grenoble.fr

Stéphane Reboulet

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France;
stephane.reboulet_at_univ-lyon1.fr

Jean François Deconinck

Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; Jean-Francois.Deconinck@u-bourgogne,fr

Mathieu Martinez

Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France; mathieu.martinez@u-bourgogne.fr

Claude Colombié

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France;
claude.colombie_at_univ-lyon1.fr

andré Carpentier

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France

Clément bréziat

Université de Bourgogne, 21000 Dijon, France

A detailed integrated stratigraphic analysis was carriedout on lower-middle Cenomanian hemipelagic deposits
from the Blieux section (SE France) in order to identify
the Middle Cenomanian Event I (MCE I) in the Vocontian
Basin (Reboulet et al., 2013). These deposits are represented by three calcareous bundles that are composed oflimestone-marl alternations, which are separated by thickmarly intervals. A sequence stratigraphic analysis recognized two orders of depositional sequences (medium-scale:
400 ky and large-scale: third order). The MCE Ia was identified just above the lower-middle Cenomanian boundary,based on the first appearance of the ammonite Cunningtoniceras cunningtoni, and lying within the nannofossil
Subzone UC2C of Burnett et al. (1998). This intervalalso corresponds to a positive excursion of δ13C (+ 0.6‰;
lowermost part of the ammonite Acanthoceras rhotomagense Zone), while a second increase (+ 1.1‰), whichcorresponds to a plateau rather than a peak, is interpreted
as the MCE Ib. Based on sequence stratigraphic analysis,
the duration of the MCE I was estimated to be less than
400 ky. Quantitative analyses of calcareous nannofossil,ammonoid, and clay mineral assemblages were conductedon material from around the MCE I and compared to thecarbon cycle perturbation and sea-level changes. The
nannofossil primary productivity, as recorded by nannofossil fluxes and relative abundances of meso-eutrophic
taxa, is low before and during the MCE Ia, then slightly
increases in the interval including the MCE Ib. Very oligotrophic levels at the sea surface that were recorded during
the MCE Ia are related to both arid climatic conditions(strong decrease in the percent of kaolinite within theclay assemblages) and major sea-level fall (both 3rd orderand medium-scale, low-stand deposits). The ammonoid
assemblages are characterized by a significant change
during the MCE I: planispirals (mainly Schloenbachia)
are dominant until the MCE Ia, whereas heteromorphs(mainly Sciponoceras) become dominant from the MCE
Ib onward. A decrease in bathymetry could partly explain
the decrease in the relative abundance of Schloenbachia.
Nannofossil primary productivity and occurrences of
Sciponoceras have been observed in the Cenomanian indifferent settings. Comparing these locations shows that(1) sea-surface fertility is reduced in both the MCE I and
Ocean Anoxic Event 2 (OAE 2) and (2) iterative occurrences of Sciponoceras seem to be mainly restricted tothe third order transgressive system tracts, and their firstoccurrences take place during positive shifts of δ13C.
References
Burnett, J.A., Gallagher, L.T. & Hampton, M.J. 1998.
Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown (Ed). Calcareous
nannofossil biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publications Series, Chapman andHall/Kluwer Academic Publishers: 132-199.
Reboulet S., Giraud F., Colombié C. & Carpentier A.,
2013. Integrated stratigraphy of the lower and middle
Cenomanian in a Tethyan section (Blieux, southeast
France) and correlations with boreal basins. Cretaceous Research, 40: 170-189.

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Relationships among Braarudosphaera bigelowii,
Chrysochlomulina parkeae, and the prymnesiophyte
host of the cyanobacterium UCYN-a
Kyoko Hagino

Institute for Study of the Earth’s Interior, Okayama University, Misasa, Tottori 682-0193, Japan; tomiok-k@cc.okayama-u.ac.jp

Ryo Onuma

Department of Natural History Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, N10W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan;
ocimum8@mail.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

Masanobu Kawachi

National Institute for Environmental Studies, 16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba-City, Ibaraki, 305-8506 Japan; kawach9i@nies.go.jp

Takeo Horiguchi

Department of Natural History Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, N10W8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan;
horig@mail.sci.hokudai.ac.jp

Braarudosphaera bigelowii (Prymnesiophyceae) is aliving coccolithophore with a long fossil record extending
back to the Late Cretaceous. Living and fossil B. bigelowii
have significant variation in the size of their pentaliths.
A morphological and molecular phylogenetic study ofliving B. bigelowii revealed that morphotypes of living B.
bigelowii, which are classified based on the size of pentaliths, can be related to the 18S rDNA genotypes. Therefore,
it is thought that living B. bigelowii is a species complex
that consists of at least four discrete species, which can bedifferentiated from each other based on size of pentaliths
and 18S rDNA sequences (Hagino et al., 2009). A recent
study revealed close phylogenetic relationships among
B. bigelowii sensu stricto (morphotype Intermediate
form B, 18S rDNA Genotype III), Chrysochlomulina
parkeae (Prymnesiophyceae), and a prymnesiophyte cellthat has a symbiotic association with the nitrogen-fixing
cyanobacterium UCYN-A. The prymnesiophyte host cell
receives nitrogen from the cyanobacterium in exchange
for fixed carbon (Thompson et al., 2012). This was an
unexpected relationship because B. bigelowii is dissimilar
to C. parkeae in general morphology, and B. bigelowii
differs from UCYN-A in geographic distribution. Living
B. bigelowii is a notable coastal-neritic dweller, while
the UCYN-A occur abundantly in the oligotrophic open
ocean (Moisander et al., 2010).

In order to examine these relationships, we haveconducted transmission electron microscopic and molecular phylogenetic studies of B. bigelowii sensu stricto(Intermediate form-B, 18S rDNA genotype III) andC. parkeae. In this talk, we will show the relationships
among B. bigelowii, C. parkeae, and the prymnesiophyte
host of the UCYN-A that is based on new evidence fromour morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies.
References
Hagino, K., Takano, Y. & Horiguchi, T. 2009. Pseudocryptic speciation in Braarudosphaera bigelowii(Gran and Braarud) Deflandre. Marine Micropaleontology, 72: 210-221.
Moisander, P.H., Beinart, R.A., Hewson, I., White, A.E.,
Johnson, K.S., Carlson, C.A., Montoya, J.P. & Zehr,
J.P. 2010. Unicellular cyanobacterial distributions
broaden the oceanic N2 fixation domain. Science
327:1512-1514.
Thompson, A.W., Foster, R.A., Krupke, A., Carter, B.J.,
Musat, N., Vaulot, D., Kuypers, M.M.M. & Zehr, J.P.
2012. Unicellular cyanobacterium symbiotic with asingle-celled eukaryotic alga. Science, 337: 15461550.

INA1465

Paleoenvironmental conditions during the lateaptian-early albian in the Essaouira-agadir basin(Morocco): evidence from sedimentology, calcareous
nannofossils, and carbon and oxygen isotope records
Walid Hassanein*

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; Université du Caire, Faculté des Sciences, Département de Géologie, Giza, Egypte;
walidgkassab@yahoo.com

Fabienne Giraud

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; Fabienne.Giraud-Guillot@ujf-grenoble.fr

Etienne Jaillard

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France

Robert Emmanuel

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France

Masrour Moussa

Université Ibn Zohr, Faculté des Sciences, Département de Géologie, Cité Dakhla, Agadir, MarocIn the southern Tethyan margin, the late Aptian-early
Albian interval, which is characterized by organic-richmatter and thus potential energy resources, is poorly
understood because the sedimentary successions are
frequently incomplete, and dating is difficult to perform.
The Essaouira-Agadir Basin (Morocco) has many goodlate Aptian-early Albian outcrops that are easy to access.
The aim of this work is to (1) establish an accurate timeframework based on a high-resolution biostratigraphy(ammonite and calcareous nannofossil zonations) andsequence- and chemo-stratigraphy (carbon and oxygen
stable isotopes) and (2) understand the role of paleoecological factors on carbonate production and development of black shales through qualitative and quantitative
calcareous nannofossil analyses.
Two sections were selected along a proximal-distaltransect in the southern part of the basin. In the easternpart (Tinfoul section), the thickness of Aptian-Albian
deposits is reduced, and the sedimentary facies are indicative of very shallow-water environments. The section at
Anzate is located in the middle part of the basin where
the sediments are thicker. A sedimentary facies analysis recognized a deepening upwards in both sections.
Twenty-three and twenty-six samples were collectedfrom the distal Anzate section (early Albian) and fromthe more proximal Tinfoul section, respectively. The δ13C
records were used to place the Aptian/Albian boundary.
The δ13C increased in the latest Aptian and decreased

during the early Albian, which is consistent with otherTethyan and Atlantic settings. The calcium carbonate
content decreased upward through early Albian time inboth sections, with values being lower in the western
distal Anzate than the eastern proximal Tinfoul section.
Calcareous nannofossil preservation varied from good tomoderate and moderate to poor in the Anzate and Tinfoul
sections, respectively. The nannofossil total abundanceand species richness were higher in the distal section at
Anzate than in the proximal section of Tinfoul, and total
absolute abundance decreased in the upper part of thesection at both locations. Calcareous nannofossil assemblages were characterized by 93 identified species, but
only 15 taxa comprised approximately 90% of the total
assemblage. The nannofossil cold-water taxa increased
upward through time, while the warm taxa showed an
opposite trend. Both nannofossil absolute abundance andcarbonate content decreased upward with progressively
colder sea-surface conditions, indicating a decrease in
the carbonate production in the early Albian. Meso-eutrophic taxa fluctuated but had a general decrease upward
through the early Albian, which could be the result of areduced nutrient influx. A drop in carbonate production,
associated with deepening of the paleoenvironment andcooler climatic conditions, and a sharp decrease in theδ13C values characterize the Aptian-Albian transition in
the Essaouira-Agadir Basin.

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Phenotypic evolution of the “planktic superspecies”
Coccolithus pelagicus
Jorijntje Henderiks

Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary
Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; jorijntje.henderiks@geo.uu.se

Trond Reitan

Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-75236 Uppsala, Sweden; Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary
Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; trond.reitan@ibv.uio.no

andrea Gerecht

Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
gerecht@ibv.uio.no

Tore Schweder

Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
tore.schweder@econ.uio.no

Thomas Hansen

Centre for Ecological & Evolutionary Synthesis (CEES), Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway;
t.f.hansen@ibv.uio.no

Marine microfossils have the most detailed record ofplankton evolution, and time series studies of their phenotypic (size, shape) variability are perhaps the most direct
way of observing evolutionary change. We investigateda time series of coccolith size (mean size and its variation), using models based on linear stochastic differential
equations (SDEs) with hierarchical structure (Reitan etal., 2012) to test what processes have driven phenotypicevolution in the fossil lineage of Coccolithus pelagicus(Wallich 1877) Schiller 1930 over the past 57 million
years. Fossil time series data from six different DSDP/ODP sites revealed site-specific dynamics, as well as
correlations among sites. We found no detectable influence of long-term (>100 ky) climatic change on thephenotypic evolution of C. pelagicus (sensu lato). Longterm phenotypic variations appear to have been driven
primarily by the speciation and extinction of (cryptic)
sibling species within this "planktic superspecies" (cf. de
Vargas et al., 2004).
Speciation is defined by genetic isolation, which unfortunately cannot be directly tested in the fossil record. By
constraining the phenotypic variability of single extant
genotypes in the laboratory, however, we can obtain abetter estimate of how many genotypes are represented
by fossil phenotypes. Short-term experiments with two
strains of the sibling species, C. pelagicus and C. braarudii, revealed no significant plasticity in coccolith size
(mean and variation) despite extreme experimental growth
conditions. This confirms that the coccolith size variability observed in the fossil record is unlikely to represent a plasticity response to environmental change in one
cosmopolitan species. Rather, an increase (or decrease) insize variation in fossil populations points to a changing
number of closely related (cryptic) sibling species withdifferent local adaptations and shifts in their abundances
due to changing biotic and/or abiotic selection pressures.
Referencesde Vargas, C., Sáez, A.G., Medlin, L.K. & Thierstein,
H.R. 2004. Super-species in the calcareous plankton.
In: H.R. Thierstein & J.R. Young, (Eds). Coccolithophores: from molecular processes to global impact.
Berlin Heidelberg, Springer-Verlag: 271-298.
Reitan, T., Schweder, T. & Henderiks, J. 2012. Phenotypicevolution studied by layered stochastic differential
equations. Annals of Applied Statistics, 6: 1531-1551.

INA1467

Response of calcareous nannoplankton assemblages tothe Middle Miocene Climatic Transition in the epicontinental sea (Carpathian Foredeep, Central Paratethys)
Katarína Holcová

Department of Geology & Paleontology, Charles University in Prague, CZ-128 43 Praha 2, Czech Republic; katarina.holcova@natur.cuni.cz

Nela Doláková

Institute of Geological Sciences, Masaryk University Brno, 611 37 Brno, Czech Republic; nela@sci.muni.cz

Using the astronomically calibrated dates from theMediterranean area (di Stefano et al., 2008), the lower
boundary of the study interval can be dated at 14.9 Ma(the last occurrence of Helicosphaera ampliaperta),
the upper boundary at 13.92 Ma (the first occurrence ofGloborotalia praemenardii), and can be divided into twoparts by the last occurrence of Helicosphaera waltrans(14.357 Ma). The interval correlates well with the earlystage of the Middle Miocene Climatic Transition (Flower& Kennett, 1994).
In addition to global climatic changes, the interval islocally influenced by a large transgression into the Paratethyan area and strong tectonic and volcanic activity. The
local climate, which was interpreted from the terrigenous
palynomorphs and generally was subtropical, can be characterized by (1) aridification connected with decrease of
terrigenous input, (2) increase of seasonality, principally
expressed in seasonality of precipitation, (3) catastrophic
climatic events (i.e., intensive rainfall; Harzhauser et al.,2010), (4) cyclicity (oscillations of cold + dry and wet +warm periods), and (5) cooling.
Calcareous nannoplankton assemblages were dominated by small-sized Reticulofenestra spp. (R. minuta
and R. haqii) and occasionally by Coccolithus pelagicus.
Abundances, which varied from very rare to massive
occurrences, were higher in the marginal part of basins
where the massive occurrences are represented by bloomsof R. minuta. This indicates a prevailing continental
nutrient source. Cyclical changes in calcareous nannoplankton assemblages are not as pronounced as in theplanktonic foraminifera. Using multivariate statisticaltechniques, the following assemblages can be distinguished:(1) The Reticulofestra minuta assemblage is indicative of environmental stress and characterized by quickchanges within that environment, including oscillation ofsalinity and nutrient content. The assemblage is accompanied by 5-chambered small globigerinids typical of cold,
non-stratified water masses, which respond rapidly tochanges in nutrient supply. Its marked dominance agrees
with an expected increase in seasonality of precipitations.
(2) The Reticulofestra haqii assemblage has oscillations between abundances of Reticulofenestra minuta andR. haqii that are characteristic of the middle and upper
part of study interval and reflect orbitally-forced climaticchanges. Higher abundances of R. haqii are accompanied
by occurrences of Orbulina and Globigerinoides spp.,
which indicate warmer oligotrophic conditions. Marked
differences between oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of benthic and planktonic foraminifera indicate
stratification of the water column.
(3) The Coccolithus pelagicus-assemblage wasrecorded mainly in volcanic influenced deposits and in thelower part of the study interval. Coccolithus pelagicus isa traditional indicator of cold and nutrient-rich water, but
the species was recorded in waters up to 18°C. Its disappearance in the upper part of interval indicates a decreasein nutrients due to aridification associated with a decreasein decisive terrigenous input of nutrients.
References
Flower, B.P. & Kennett, J.P. 1994. The middle Miocene
climatic transition: East Antarctic ice sheet development, deep ocean circulation and global carbon
cycling. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 108: 537–555.
Harzhauser, M., Piller, W.E., Müllegger, S., Grunert,
P. & Michee, A. 2010. Changing seasonality patterns in Central Europe from Miocene climate optimum to Miocene climate transition deduced from the
Crassostrea isotope archive. Global and Planetary
Change, 76: 77-84.
di Stefano, A., Foresi, L.M., Lirer, F., Iaccarino, S.M.,
Turco, E., Amore, F.O., Morabito, S., Salvatorini, G.,
Mazzei, R. & Abdul Aziz, H. 2008. Calcareous plankton high resolution bio-magnetostratigraphy for theLanghian of the Mediterranean area. Rivista Italiana
di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 114: 51-76.

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Distribution and malformation of extant Coccolithophores
in the East China Sea in summer, 2011
Xiaobo Jin*

evidently@163.com

Chuanlian liu
liucl@tongji.edu.cn

Dan liang*

liangdan861012@163.com

State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China

The distribution of extant coccolithophores, collected inJune 2011, from surface waters (0-2 m) of the East China
Sea (ECS) was determined using a scanning electron
microscope. Of the 64 stations, only nine water samples
yielded coccolithophores, most of which were locatedover the Changjiang River plume area. The abundance of
coccolithophores in most of the nine samples ranged from2,500 to 7,500 cells/l. Gephyrocapsa oceanica Kamptner(1943) dominated the coccolithophore community anddeveloped a bloom that has not been reported before in
the ECS. The cell density reached as many as 620,000
cells/l, which was at the station located near the center ofthe East China Sea Cold Eddy. The cyclonic eddy induced
an upwelling system that brought nutrients to the surface
waters, and this may have facilitated the G. oceanica
bloom.
Coccolithophores with various degrees of deformity
were identified in the surface waters of the ECS, which
we attribute to malformation and stunted growth of thecoccolith elements. The distribution of malformed living
coccolithophores has been previously investigated in the
East China Sea (Okada and Honjo, 1975; Yang et al.,2004), in Indonesian marginal seas (Kleijne, 1990), and
off Namibia (Giraudeau et al., 1993). Most of the authors
attributed the malformation to nutrient deficiency. In ourinvestigation, a high rate and severity of malformation
was found in shelf waters of the ECS, while only normal
cells occurred around the Changjiang River estuary area.
In the ECS, river inputs of total alkalinity (TA) can reach~2200+3340 (from particle inorganic carbon) ×109 mol

year-1, suggesting a great amount of TA (Chen &Wang,
1999). Hence, there is a higher amount of CO32- andΩ(CaCO3) adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary
than on the shelf with its more constant pH value. It issuggested that the occurrence and distribution of malformation in the ECS may have been caused by the carbonate
chemistry in its ambient water.
References
Chen, C.T.A., & Wang, S.L. 1999. Carbon, alkalinity
and nutrient budgets on the East China Sea continental shelf. Journal of Geophysical Research, 104(C9):20675-20.
Giraudeau, J., Monteiro, P., & Nikodemus, K. 1993.
Distribution and malformation of living coccolithophores in the northern Benguela upwelling system off
Namibia. Marine Micropaleontology, 22(1): 93-110.
Kleijne, A. 1990. Distribution and malformation of extant
calcareous nannoplankton in the Indonesian Seas.
Marine Micropaleontology, 16(3): 293-316.
Okada, H. & Honjo, S. 1975. Distribution of coccolithophores in marginal seas along the western Pacific
Ocean and in the Red Sea. Marine Biology, 31(3):271-285.
Yang, T.N., Wei, K.Y., Chen, M.P., Ji, S.J., Gong, G.C.,
Lin, F.J., & Lee, T.Q. 2004. Summer and winter distribution and malformation of coccolithophores inthe East China Sea. Micropaleontology, 50(Suppl. 1):
157-170.

INA1469

The Melbourne Code: implications for nannofossil andsilicoflagellate taxonomy
Richard W. Jordan

Yamagata University, Japan; sh081@kdw.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp

Kevin McCartney

University of Maine at Presque Isle, Presque Isle, ME, USA; kevin.mccartney@umpi.edu

Jakub Witkowski

University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland; jakub.witkowski@univ.szczecin.pl

The latest edition of the International Code of Nomenclature (ICN) for algae, fungi, and plants (formerly theInternational Code of Botanical Nomenclature; ICBN)
was adopted in 2011 and published in 2012. The newcode (known as the Melbourne Code) has implications forcertain fossil groups, particularly nannofossils and silicoflagellates. In particular, Article 11.8 states that a nonfossil genus (based on an extant type species) has priority
over a fossil genus (based on a fossil type species), regardless of the publication date. At present, only diatoms are
exempt from this ruling.
To continue the use of a long-standing fossil genericname with extant representatives, it is strongly recommended that its name be conserved against any future
generic names based on one or more of the extant taxa.
This problem is limited to only a few genera, but includes
Cruciplacolithus and Reticulofenestra among calcareous nannofossils and Dictyocha among silicoflagellates.
Furthermore, if a chance for discussion arises, it would
be advisable to propose that nannofossils and silicoflagellates be treated in the same manner as diatoms. This
would allow the names of fossil genera to compete withthose of non-fossil genera, thus protecting older names
via publication date and negating the rulings of Articles
11.7 and 11.8.
An additional concern arises when extant taxa areassigned as subspecific taxa of a fossil species, because
the elevation of an extant subspecific taxon to species
level could result in the renaming of the fossil species.
An example is Dictyocha fibula, the type species of thegenus, which was originally described from the Miocene,and now has many subspecific taxa. While it is uncertain
whether D. fibula occurs in the Recent, the generic name is
widely used by both paleontologists and biologists. Thus,
conservation of the specific epithet fibula may be necessary to avoid the undesirable scenario of it becoming asenior synonym.
Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that either conservation or exemption will be accepted by the committee
members of the ICN, and even if the proposal were
accepted, ratification would take place at the next Botanical Congress in 2017. In the meantime, nannofossil andsilicoflagellate taxonomy will be in a state of limbo.

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Middle to Upper Jurassic calcareous nannofossil
biostratigraphy, onshore North Kuwaitadi P. Kadar
Akadar@kockw.com

Sandra Crespo
SCrespo@kockw.com

Khalaf abdulaziz KaramKKaram@kockw.co

Kuwait Oil Company, Exploration Studies Team, Kuwait

The Middle to Late Jurassic in Kuwait consists predominantly of carbonates, calcareous shales, and evaporites thatcomprise five formations, in ascending order: Dhruma,
Sargelu, Najmah, Gotnia, and Hith (Yousif et al., 1997).
The calcareous shale of the Dhruma Formation gradually
grades upwards into limestones of the Sargelu Formation(Neog et al., 2010). The Sargelu is unconformably overlain by the Najmah Formation (Al-Husseini, 2008), whichis comprised of the Najmah Kerogene and the Najmah
Limestone. The Najmah Kerogene consists of threemembers: Najmah-Sargelu Transition, Lower Najmah
Kerogene, and Upper Najmah Kerogene. The Najmah
Limestone is unconformably overlain by the calcareous
shale of the non-evaporitic Gotnia Formation (Neog et al.,2010) and is capped by a succession of evaporites of theGotnia and Hith Formations.
Biostratigraphic analyses were performed on a total 373
core samples from 12 wells from onshore North Kuwait.
Forty-six species were identified, and the results weresummarized using nannofossil Jurassic Zones (Bown &Cooper, 1998; Mattioli & Erba, 1999) and Kuwait Nannofossil Events (Packer et al., 2012, 2013), as well as theJurassic Time Scale (Ogg et al., 2008). Six intervals, theNJT10a Subzone, NJT10b Subzone, combined NJT12 lower NJT13 Zones, NJT14 - NJT15 Zones, and sparse
assemblage intervals, were established in the studiedsections. Calcareous nannofossils were abundant in the
Dhruma and Sargelu-Dhruma Transition with moderately diverse assemblages. Abundance decreased in theSargelu, Najmah Kerogene, Najmah Limestone, and nonevaporitic Gotnia Formation.
The Dhruma Formation was placed in the NJT10a
Subzone, based on the presence of W. manivitiae, C.
superbus, S. punctulata, and W. contracta, which suggests
an early-late Bajocian age. The top of the late Bajocian
was picked at the top of the NJT10b Subzone, identified
near to the top of the Dhruma-Sargelu Transition, based on
the last occurrence of C. magharensis. The Sargelu Limestone was barren of nannofossils. The age of the overlying
Najmah Kerogene is Callovian to early Oxfordian (Zones
NJT12 - lower NJT13), based on nannofossil assemblages
dominated by Watznaueria barnesae, W. britannica, W.

fossacinta, and W. manivitiae. The Najmah Limestone wasvirtually barren of nannofossils. However, the occurrenceof the index palynomorph species Systematophora spp.
suggests an age no older than Oxfordian (Watson, 2005).
The unconformity that separates the Najmah Limestone
from the Gotnia Formation, therefore, appears to occur
within the Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian interval. The assemblages in the overlying non-evaporitic Gotnia Formation
were characterized by a dominance of Watznaueria spp.
with P. beckmanii observed in one well, which indicatesplacement in the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian NJT14-NJT15
Zones.
References
Al-Husseini, M.I. 2008. Middle East geologic time scale
2008. GeoArabia, 13(4).
Bown, P.R. & Cooper, M.K.E. 1998. Jurassic. In: P.R.
Bown (Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy.
Kluwer Academic Press, London: 35-85.
Mattioli, E. & Erba, E. 1999. Synthesis of calcareous
nannofossil events in the Tethyan Lower and Middle
Jurassic. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 105: 343-376.
Neog, N., Rao, N.S., Al-Mayyas, R., De Keyser, T., Perrin, C. & Kendall, C. 2010. Evaporite facies: a key tothe mid Mesozoic sedimentary stratigraphy of North
Kuwait. ICE Convention Abstract, Calgary, 2010.
Ogg, J.G., Ogg, G. & Gradstein, F.M. 2008. Jurassic
Period. The concise Geologic Time Scale. Cambridge
University Press, New York: 107-115.
Packer, S.R., Starkie, S.P. & Stead, D.T. 2012. Biostratigraphic analysis of selected intervals from Cretaceous & Jurassic, Kuwait. Millennia SC Unpublished
Report, 737/12.
Packer, S.R., Starkie, S.P. & Stead, D.T. 2013. Biostratigraphic analysis of the Late-Middle Jurassic, onshore
Kuwait. Millennia SC Unpublished Report, 751/12.
Watson, P. 2005. Biostratigraphic analysis of selected
Jurassic core samples from the Marrat to Najmah Formations, onshore Kuwait. Robertson Research International Limited Unpublished Report No. 6619/ib.
Yousif, S. & Nouman, G. 1997. Jurassic geology of
Kuwait. GeoArabia, 2(1): 91-110.

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71

Mid-Cretaceous calcareous nannoplankton
biostratigraphy and paleoenvironment of Wasia Group,
onshore Kuwait
Khalaf abdulaziz Karam

Kuwait Oil Company, Exploration Studies Team, Kuwait; KKaram@kockw.com

adi P. Kadar

Kuwait Oil Company, Exploration Studies Team, Kuwait; AKadar@kockw.com

The mid-Cretaceous sediments of the Wasia Group,
onshore Kuwait, comprise a range of lithologies fromclastic at the base to carbonate at the top, and consist of
six formations and one member: Burgan, Mauddud, Wara,
Ahmadi, Rumaila, and Mishrif Formations and the Tuba
Member (Al-Fares et al., 1998). The lower and upperboundaries of the group consist of unconformities of early
Aptian and early Turonian age respectively (Al-Husseini,2008). This interval can be subdivided into five zones andsix sub-zones based on a combination of global markers
and local Kuwait calcareous nannofossil events (Thierstein, 1976; Sissingh, 1977; Perch-Nielsen, 1985; Bown
et al., 1998; Al-Fares et al., 1998; Packer et al., 2011,2012; Kadar et al., 2012). In stratigraphic ascending order,these subdivisions are KN32, KN31, KN30, KN29c, b, a,
KN28c, b, and a.
On the basis of lithology and nannofossil and micropaleontological data in Packer et al. (2011, 2012) andfrom the current study, the depositional environmentof the interval can be determined. The upper Albian
Burgan Formation has a sparse microfauna and is barrenof nannofossils, indicating that the formation was deposited in nonmarine to transitional and partially inner
neritic environments. The upper Albian Mauddud Formation contains a large amount of microfossils, especiallyforaminifera and ostracods, but only rare nannofossils,
probably indicating inner- to middle-neritic conditions.
The lithology and depositional environment of the upper
Albian-lower Cenomanian Wara Formation are similar
to the Burgan Formation, comprising nonmarine to inner
neritic with a thin fossiliferous outer- to middle-neritic
interval, which is interpreted as a maximum flooding
surface within this unit. The depositional environment of
the Ahmadi, Rumaila, and lower Mishrif Formations, aswell as the Tuba Member, was determined to be middle
to outer neritic. The micropaleontological data from theupper Mishrif Formation indicate a nonmarine to innerneritic environment. The Burgan Sand, Mauddud Limestone, and Wara Sand form the main hydrocarbon reser-voir in the Greater Burgan Field (Brennan, 1990). The
Tuba Limestone is a reservoir in the Bahrah Field, and theMishrif Limestone is in the Minagish Field.
References
Al-Fares, A.A., Bouman, M. & Jeans, P. 1998. A new lookat the Middle-Lower Cretaceous stratigraphy, offshore
Kuwait. GeoArabia, 3(4): 543-560.
Al-Husseini, M.I. 2008. Middle East geologic time scale
2008. GeoArabia, 13(4).
Bown, P.R., Rutledge, D.C., Crux, J.A. & Gallagher, L.T.
1998. Lower Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown (Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. Kluwer Academic
Press: 86-131.
Brennan, P. 1990. Greater Burgan Field. In: E.A. Beamount & N.H Foster (Eds). Structural Traps I. AAPG
Treatise of Petroleum Geology, Atlas of Oil and Gas
Fields: 103-128.
Kadar, A.P., Youssef, A., Packer, S.R., Starkie, S.P., AlBaghli, M. & Karam, K.A. 2012. Albian-Cenomaniancalcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and depositional environment of the Wasia Group, onshore
Kuwait. 10th Middle East Geosciences Conference
and Exhibition, Bahrain, March 2012.
Packer, S.R, Starkie, S.P. & Stead, D.T. 2011. Biostratigraphic analysis of the Burgan, Mauddud, Wara,
Ahmadi Formations and Tuba member (Wasia Group).
Kuwait. 1-2. Millennia SC. Project No. 728/10.
Packer, S.R, Starkie, S.P. & Stead, D.T. 2012. Biostratigraphic analysis of the Rumaila and Mishrif Formations (Wasia Group). Kuwait. 1-2. Millennia SC. Project No. 736/12.
Perch-Nielsen, K. 1985. Mesozoic calcareous nannofossils. In: H.M. Bolli, J.B. Saunders, & K. Perch-Nielsen(Eds). Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge University
Press: 329-426.
Sissingh, W. 1977. Biostratigraphy of Cretaceous calcareous nannoplankton. Geologie en Mijnbouw, 56: 37-65.
Thierstein, H.R. 1976. Mesozoic calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy of marine sediments. Marine
Micropaleontology, 1: 325-362.

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Calcareous nannoplankton off NW africa (Cape blanc) –seasonal and inter-annual dynamics of coccolithophore
fluxesMeral Irmgard Köbrich

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; koebrich@uni-bremen.de

Karl-Heinz baumann

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; baumann@uni-bremen.debabette boeckel

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; RWE Dea AG, Wietze Laboratory, Geosciences, 29323 Wietze,
Germany; Babette.Boeckel@rwe.com

Gerhard Fischer

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; gfischer@marum.de

Coccolith fluxes from sediment traps moored off Cape
Blanc (21°08.7'N 20°41.2'W) over three years (March
1989 to November 1991) were examined to reveal interannual and seasonal changes in species composition,and factors influencing these fluxes and changes in theassemblage. Based on this long-term record, a detailed
species composition and seasonal patterns for the region
were identified. Within the winter season, most of theyearly exported coccolith flux settled, whereas during thesummer and fall, the proportion of the yearly coccolith flux
was reduced. The species composition revealed at least
74 coccolithophore species with Emiliania huxleyi, Florisphaera profunda, and Gephyrocapsa spp. dominating theassemblage. The changes in fluxes, as well as in species
composition, document and sensitively reflect the highlyvariable water characteristics off the Cape Blanc region.
In particular, significant changes in coccolith fluxes coincide with changes in sea-surface temperature, which may
be related to shifts in near-coast upwelling pulses.
In general, three different intervals could be distinguished, each characterized by a distinct species compo-

sition and associated changing environmental parameters.
The first interval covers the period from March 1988 to
the winter of 1990-1991. The assemblage during thisinterval was dominated by E. huxleyi, F. profunda, G.
flabellatus, G. oceanica, and G. ericsonii fluxes, whileother species contributed consistently but in low fluxes
to this assemblage. Distinct changes within this assemblage point to the occurrence of changing surface watersfrom influences such as offshore meandering filaments. A
second interval (winter 1990-1991) reveals a significant
change in fluxes and species composition. It appears tobe the result of a significant high occurrence of Ophiasterspp., Acanthoica spp., Calciosolenia spp., Calciopappus
spp., and Syracosphaera spp. in the surface water, accompanied with enhanced transport into deep water. The thirdinterval, covering the time from spring to fall of 1991, ischaracterized by significantly reduced fluxes of all coccolithophore species. The species composition is similar tothat of the first interval, thus the assemblage seemingly
returns to the “original” state (the first interval).

INA1473

age and paleoenvironmental constraints based on
calcareous nannofossil and foraminifera assemblages
from the Eocene–Miocene of lord Howe Rise,
southwest Pacific Ocean
Denise K. Kulhanek

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA; kulhanek@iodp.tamu.edu

Hugh E. G. Morgans

GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand; h.morgans@gns.cri.nz

Francois bache

GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand; f.bache@gns.cri.nz

Julien Collot

Service Géologique de la Nouvelle-Calédonie – DIMENC, BP 465-99845, Nouméa, New Caledonia; julien.collot@gouv.nc

Rupert Sutherland

GNS Science, Lower Hutt, New Zealand; r.sutherland@gns.cri.nz

Pierrick Rouillard

ADECAL-Technopôle, ZoNéCo Research Program 1bis, Nouméa, New Caledonia ; pierrick.rouillard@adecal.nc

Lord Howe Rise is located within a series of basins andridges in the southwest Pacific Ocean that formed during
the Cretaceous breakup of Gondwana and is today locatedeast of Australia and northwest of New Zealand. Coringon Lord Howe Rise during Deep Sea Drilling Project(DSDP) Legs 21 and 90 recovered Upper Cretaceous
rhyolitic volcanics overlain by pelagic sediments of
Late Cretaceous to Cenozoic age. Neogene sequences in
the region contain few hiatuses, whereas the Paleogene
interval records an Eocene-Oligocene unconformity ofvarying duration that is interpreted to reflect major oceanographic circulation changes resulting from the development of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Recent
work, based primarily on stratal geometries and seismicreflection facies, suggests that the unconformity may berelated to uplift of the rise to or near sea level as a resultof subduction processes in the New Zealand region. To
test this hypothesis, we collected high-resolution samples

across the unconformity at four sites that were cored onor around Lord Howe Rise (DSDP Sites 206, 207, 208,
and 592) to refine the age of the hiatus and to examinechanges in paleoenvironment. Biostratigraphic results,
based on calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera, indicate that the unconformity is of different ages indifferent locations. At Sites 206, 207, and 208, the EoceneOligocene boundary is missing, with sediments below
the unconformity of middle Eocene age and sediments
above the unconformity of early Oligocene to Miocene
age. In contrast, Site 592 records a complete EoceneOligocene boundary sequence, with the hiatus spanningthe early Oligocene to early Miocene. Paleodepths basedon benthic foraminiferal assemblages suggest some shallowing across the unconformity at all sites. These results
have implications for the paleoceanographic and tectonic
setting of Lord How Rise during the late Paleogene.

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Calcareous nannofossils tie organic-rich sedimentation in
the SW Pacific to an early late Paleocene climatic event
Denise K. Kulhanek

Integrated Ocean Drilling Program, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77845, USA; kulhanek@iodp.tamu.edu

Michael J. S. Tayler

Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; mjst1@waikato.ac.nz

Christopher J. Hollis

GNS Science, Lower Hutt 5011, New Zealand; c.hollis@gns.cri.nz

Campbell S. Nelson

Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand; c.nelson@waikato.ac.nz

A distinctive, organic-rich (total organic carbon =1-12 wt%) marine mudstone occurs in many locations throughout the New Zealand region. First identified as the Waipawa Formation in the East Coast Basin,
it is correlative to the Tartan Formation described from
Canterbury and Great South Basins, and grades laterally into facies equivalents throughout New Zealand andother regions of the southwest Pacific. The high organic
content makes this mudstone a potential source rock foroil and gas, and it is therefore of keen interest to the petroleum industry. The organic-rich facies typically consistof non-calcareous to weakly calcareous, bioturbated dark
mudstone. The paucity of calcareous microfossils has
made constraining the age of the unit difficult. Lateralfacies equivalents include a siliceous mudstone (MeadStream, New Zealand), siliceous chalk (Ocean Drilling
Program [ODP] Site 1121 on the Campbell Plateau),and greensand (Tawanui, New Zealand). Calcareous
nannofossil assemblages from calcareous intervals of the

Waipawa Formation and its equivalents are reasonably
diverse with variable preservation. The first appearanceof Heliolithus kleinpellii occurs just below or near thebase of the organic-rich sediment, with the first appearance of Discoaster mohleri at or near the top of the formation, indicating deposition during nannofossil Zone NP6.
These results, combined with results from other microfossil groups and paleomagnetics from ODP Site 1172 on
the Tasman Plateau, indicate that this organic-rich sediment was deposited in the late Paleocene between ~58.7
and 58.2 Ma, and may correlate with the Early Late Paleocene Event (ELPE) reported from the central Pacific.
Geochemical analyses for sea-surface and bottom-watertemperatures, based on Mg/Ca, TEX86, and δ18O, indicate
cooling of 2–4°C over a short period of time. There isalso evidence from benthic foraminifera and palynofacies
for a drop in sea level associated with this interval. Taken
together, these results support the presence of short-lived
ice sheets on Antarctica during the early late Paleocene.

INA1475

Upper water structure and primary productivity variationsof the central West Pacific Warm Pool in the last ~380 kyr
Dan liang*

State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; liangdan861012@163.com

liu Chuanlian

State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; liucl@tongji.edu.cn

luc beaufort

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix Marseille University, Collège de France, 13545 Aix en Provence, France; beaufort@cerege.fr

Coccoliths from two cores, KX21-2 and KX12-1, in thecentral West Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) from the last~380 kyr were analyzed with SYRACO (Système deReconnaissance Automatique de Coccolithes) (Beaufort & Dollfus, 2004). Emiliania huxleyi, Gephyrocapsa
oceanica, and Florisphaera profunda were the mostabundant species. Upper water structure and primary
productivity (PP) variations were reconstructed with therelative abundance of Florisphaera profunda (Molfino &Mclntyre, 1990; Beaufort et al., 1997). Primary productivity from coccoliths correlated well with other paleoproductivity proxies (e.g., Ca concentration, ln(Ca/Ti),and ln(Ba/Ti)) (Zhou et al., 2011), which suggests thatcoccoliths are a reliable paleoproductivity proxy. PP
records in the two cores present patterns similar to otherpublished records in this area (Beaufort et al., 2001). A
time series analysis indicates that the Earth’s precession
has been an important factor controlling the long-term
variability of coccolithophore production in the equatorial
Indo-Pacific Ocean. The most remarkable characteristicof these cores is the presence of a significant increase of
PP spikes during the last four deglacials. We presume that
ocean stratification, combined with nutricline oscillation,changed nutrient supply to the photic zone, which caused
short-term PP variation in glacial terminations.
References
Beaufort, L. & Dollfus, D. 2004. Automatic recognitionof coccoliths by dynamical neural networks. Marine
Micropaleontology, 51: 57-73.
Beaufort, L., Garidel-Thoron, T., Mix, A.C. & Pisias,
N.G. 2001. Enso-like forcing on oceanic primary
production during the late Pleistocene. Science, 293:
2440-2444.
Beaufort, L., Lancelot, Y., Camberlin, P., Cayre, O., Vincent, E., Bassinot, F. & Labeyrie, L. 1997. Insolation
cycles as a major control of equatorial Indian Ocean
primary production. Science, 278(5342): 1451-1454.
Molfino, B. & McIntyre, A. 1990. Precessional forcing of
nutricline dynamics in the equatorial Atlantic. Science,
249(4970): 766-769.
Zhou, C., Jin, H.Y. & Jian, Z.M. 2011. Variations of thelate Quaternary paleo-productivity in the western
Equatorial Pacific: evidence from the elemental ratios.
Quaternary Sciences, 31(2): 276-283. (In Chinesewith English abstract)

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Calcareous nannofossils and late Cretaceous climate
cooling: Campanian through Maastrichtian assemblages
from the Evans-Shuqualak borehole (Mississippi)
Christian linnert

Jackie a. leesPaul R. bown

Stuart Robinson

c.linnert@ucl.ac.uk
p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

j.lees@ucl.ac.uk

stuart.robinson@ucl.ac.uk

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK

In comparison to the mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Turonian)super greenhouse world, the latest Cretaceous (lateCampanian-Maastrichtian) is thought to be an interval of
relatively cool climate (Huber et al., 2002; Miller et al.,2005). The late Campanian-early Maastrichtian coolingparticularly affected calcareous nannofossil assemblages,
as recorded by the expansion of putative cool-water taxa
(Ahmuellerella octoradiata, Gartnerago segmentatum,
Kampnerius magnificus, and Nephrolithus frequens)towards low latitudes (Lees, 2002; Thibault & Gardin,
2006) and the retreat of supposed warm-water taxa, suchas Watznaueria barnesiae, from high latitudes (Watkins etal., 1996). The rate and structure of Late Cretaceous sea
surface temperature (SST) changes are, however, generally poorly known because of the lack of stratigraphicallycomplete sections that contain well-preserved microfossils. In order to fill this gap, we studied a Campanianthrough Maastrichtian section (~83.3 – 65.5Ma) from
Shuqualak, Mississippi, USA (Evans-Shuqualak borehole, 32°58'49"N 88°34'8"W), which has excellent preservation of calcareous microfossils and organic biomarkers.
The paleoclimatic trends have been studied using TEX86
estimates of SST (Kim et al., 2010), supported by integrated calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminifer
biostratigraphy, abundance counts on calcareous nannofossil assemblages, nannofossil biometry on Watznaueria, Arkhangelskiella, and Broinsonia, and geochemical
studies (Sr/Ca) on coccolith calcite of particular nannofossil species.
TEX86-measurements show that the Campanian represented a transitional interval from the warm mid-Cretaceous towards a relatively cool Maastrichtian climate.
Using the TEX86H calibration with SST (Kim et al.,2010), we suggest that early Campanian subtropical SSTs(~35°N) were a maximum of 35°C, similar to Santonian
tropical SSTs (Forster et al., 2007). SSTs cooled towards~28°C across the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary,with slightly higher values (~30°C) in the Maastrichtian.
Calcareous nannofossil abundance trends show no striking
correspondence with SSTs, but W. barnesiae declines
from 10% to 3% across the Campanian-Maastrichtianboundary and increases again in the latest Maastrichtian.
No clear correspondence to the cooling is seen within taxa
previously identified as having cooler water affinities (A.
octoradiata, G. segmentatum, and K. magnificus) as theirabundances were mostly below 3%. There seems to be alink between the coccolith-size history of the Broinsonia/
Arkhangelskiella group and Campanian-Maastrichtianboundary cooling. Prior to this cooling, the group isdominated by large specimens of Broinsonia parca andmedium-sized Arkangelskiella cymbiformis, resulting in amean size >10µm. As cooling occurred, the large Broinsonia parca disappeared, specimens of A. cymbiformis
became smaller, and the mean size dropped below 8µm.
The mean size of Arkhangelskiella gradually recovered in
the Maastrichtian towards values of >10µm. Larger specimens of Arkhangelskiella maastrichtiana subsequently
replaced small specimens of A. cymbiformis.
References
Forster, A., Schouten, S., Baas, M. & Sinninghe Damsté,
J.S. 2007. Mid-Cretaceous (Albian-Santonian) sea surface temperature record of the tropical Atlantic Ocean.
Geology, 35: 919-922.
Huber, B.T., Norris, R.D. & MacLeod, K.G. 2002. Deepsea paleotemperature record of extreme warmth during the Cretaceous. Geology, 30: 123-126.
Kim, J.H., van der Meer, J., Schouten, S., Helmke, P.,
Willmott, V., Sangiorgi, F., Koç, N., Hopmans, E.C. &Sinninghe-Damsté, J.S. 2010. New indices and calibrations derived from the distribution of crenarchaeal
isoprenid tetraether lipids: implications for past sea
surface temperature reconstructions. Geochimica et
Cosmochimica Acta, 74: 4639-4654.
Lees, J.A., 2002. Calcareous nannofossil biogeography
illustrates paleoclimate change in the Late Cretaceous
Indian Ocean. Cretaceous Research, 23: 537-634.
Miller, K.G., Wright, J.D. & Browning, J.V. 2005. Visionsof ice sheets in a greenhouse world. Marine Geology,
217: 215-231.
Thibault, N. & Gardin, S. 2006. Maastrichtian calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoecology inthe Equatorial Atlantic (Demerara Rise, ODP Leg 207
Hole 1258A). Revue de Micropaléontologie, 49: 199214.
Watkins, D.K., Wise, S.W., Pospichal, J.J. & Crux, J. 1996.
Upper Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoceanography of the Southern Ocean. In:
A. Moguilevski & R.Whatley (Eds). Microfossils andOceanic Environments. University of Wales, Aberystwyth Press: 355-381.

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77

Patterns and mechanisms of calcareous nannoplankton
productivity and upwelling in the western Tropicalatlantic: interplay between the Intertropical Convergence
Zone and the Northern Hemisphere
Gatsby-Emperatriz lópez-Otálvaro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca,
Spain; gatsbyemperatriz@usal.es

José-a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca,
Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca,
Spain; sierro@usal.es

Isabel Cacho

Department of Stratigraphy, Palaeontology & Marine Geosciences,
University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; icacho@ub.eduÓscar Rama

Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemical &Environmental Research (IIQAB-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
orcqam@cid.csic.esbelén Martrat

Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemical &Environmental Research (IIQAB-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
bmsqam@cid.csic.es

Joan-O. Grimalt

Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Chemical &Environmental Research (IIQAB-CSIC), 08034 Barcelona, Spain;
jgoqam@cid.csic.es

Elisabeth Michel

Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, IPSL,
Laboratoire Mixte, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex,
France; Elisabeth.Michel@lsce.ipsl.fr

Elsa Cortijo

Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, IPSL,
Laboratoire Mixte, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette,
France; elsa.cortijo@lsce.ipsl.fr

laurent labeyrie

Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement, IPSL,
Laboratoire Mixte, CEA-CNRS-UVSQ, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette,
France; laurent.labeyrie@lsce.cnrs-gif.fr

We analyzed new high-resolution records (~ 120 to ~700yr.) for the calcareous nannoplankton assemblage fromthe Western Tropical Atlantic (WTA) over the last climatic
cycle (the last 150,000 yr.). The aim was to reconstruct thepatterns of coccolithophore production and its relationshipwith the surface ocean conditions in the Guyana Basin.
For this purpose, we used Core MD03-2616 retrieved
from the Demerara Rise (7º48.75'N, 53º00.80'W at 1233
m) during the PICASSO Cruise of IMAGES (Shipboard
Scientific Party, 2003).
Calcareous nannoplankton slides were preparedfollowing the decantation technique outlined by Flores& Sierro (1997), and quantitative measurements wereobtained for 380 samples. More than 500 coccoliths werecounted using a light microscope under cross-polarized
light at ×1000 magnification. In order to examine productivity and surface-water conditions, we used the N index
and Nannofossil Accumulation Rates (NAR). The N
index shows the ratio between the relative proportionof taxa usually living in the upper photic zone (small
Noelaerhabdaceae, Emiliania huxleyi, and Gephyrocapsa
oceanica) and taxa usually inhabiting the lower photic
zone (Florisphaera profunda) to track coccolithophore
production and the nutri-thermocline depth (Flores etal., 2000; López-Otálvaro et al., 2009). Thus, a high N
index (close to 1) denotes episodes of high productivity
and a shallow nutri-thermocline due to the strengtheningof upwelling conditions. In contrast, a low N ratio (closeto 0) indicates episodes of low productivity and the deepening of the nutri-thermocline caused by the weakeningof the upwelling cells.
Our data illustrate long-term variations in paleoproductivity during the past climatic cycle. The N index and
the NAR values are higher during interglacial substages,
pointing to episodes of high productivity, a shallow
nutri-thermocline, and upwelling linked to the northwardmigration of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).
In contrast, lower N index and NAR values during glacial
substages illustrate scenarios of low productivity, a deep
nutri-thermocline, and the collapse of the upwellingcell in the Guyana Basin. This latter scenario is associated with the southern migration of the ITCZ. In addition, high productivity and a shallow nutri-thermocline
in the Guyana Basin coincide with times of maximum
summer insolation in the Northern Hemisphere. Our
results directly link paleoproductivity of calcareous
nannoplankton to the latitudinal migration of the ITCZ
and the Northern Hemisphere insolation cycles. Together,
they confirm that the combination of these mechanisms
determines the temporal structure of the surface ocean
waters and the production of calcareous nannoplankton
at the WTA.
References
Flores, J.-A., Bárcena, M.A. & Sierro, F.J. 2000. Oceansurface and wind dynamics in the Atlantic Ocean off
northwest Africa during the last 140,000 years. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 161:
459–478.
Flores, J.-A. & Sierro, F.J. 1997. Revised technique forcalculation of calcareous nannofossil accumulation
rates. Micropaleontology, 43: 321-324.
López-Otálvaro, G.-E., Flores, J.-A., Sierro, F.J., Cacho,I., Grimalt, J.-O., Michel, E., Cortijo, E. & Labeyrie,
L. 2009. Late Pleistocene palaeoproductivity patterns
during the last climatic cycle in the Guyana Basin as
revealed by calcareous nannoplankton. e-Earth, 4:
1-13. http://www.electronic-earth.net/4/1/2009/ee-41-2009.pdf
Shipboard Scientific Party. 2003. MD132-PICASSO,IMAGES XI, Cruise Report, 76pp.

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Composition and distribution of living coccolithophores in
the Yellow Sea and East China Sea
Qingshan luan
luanqs@126.com

Jianqiang Sun
sunjq234@163.com

Jun Wang

wangjun@ysfri.ac.cn

Laboratory of Stock Assessment & Ecosystem, Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences,
Qingdao 266071, P. R. China

Species composition, cell abundance, and estimatedfluxes of living coccolithophores were studied along thecontinental shelf of the Yellow Sea and the East China
Sea. Samples were collected by filtration of one liter ofseawater onto 0.45 μm polycarbonate filters from discrete
depths at each site. The cells (coccospheres) and detachedcoccoliths were counted with a polarizing microscope(Motic BA300Pol), and species identification was
performed with a Tabletop Microscope (TM3000) usingmorphological differences (Winter & Siesser, 1994; Cros
& Fortuño, 2002; Young et al., 2003).
A total of 27 species of marine living coccolithophores
were recorded. They were classified into ten families andfour orders, and most of these species were heterococcolithophores. Six species were recorded for the first timefrom the coastal waters of the China seas: Cyrtosphaera
lecaliae, Syracosphaera histrica, S. marginaporata,
Pappomonas cf. sp. type 3, Calyptrolithophora papillifera, and Corisphaera strigilis. Three types of Emiliania
huxleyi, type A, type B/C, and type C, were recorded.
Species of the genus Syracosphaera, in addition to E.
huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica, frequently occurredat the surveyed sites. The cell abundance of total coccolithophores in spring was significantly higher than thatin the winter (p<0.01), with means of 15,387 and 2,470
cells l-1, respectively. On average, E. huxleyi accounted
for 58.3% of the total coccolithophores, while the average
proportion of G. oceanica abundance in the total assemblage was only 16.1%.
Of note, the coccolithophore assemblages in offshore
waters of the East China Sea were characterized byhigh species richness—fourteen species in one sample.
This finding indicates that the shelf waters adjacent to

the Kuroshio path were ideal habitats for living coccolithophores. The variation in taxonomic compositionof these calcifiers could be associated with differencesin their preferred habitats. We also found habitat selection of coccolithophores in the southeastern Yellow Sea(32~35°N, 123~125°E). This habitat was characterizedby sharp temperature gradients during spring and winterseasons as the result of water exchange between the shelfwaters and the Yellow Sea Warm Current. Moreover, thecell abundance, standing crops, and estimated fluxes ofcoccolithophores were abnormally high in contrast withother areas. The habitat preference of coccolithophores
in the Yellow Sea was directly related to hydrodynamic
conditions. Unfavorable light conditions due to intense
convective mixing were responsible for the low biomassof coccolithophores during winter. However, increasing
temperatures from the warm current, in combination
with the good water stability, triggered a spring bloom of
coccolithophores in the southern Yellow Sea.
References
Cros, L. & Fortuño, J.M. 2002. Atlas of northwestern
Mediterranean coccolithophores. Scientia Marina,
66(Supplement 1): 1-186.
Winter, A. & Siesser, W.G. 1994. Atlas of living coccolithophores. In: A. Winter & W.G. Siesser (Eds).
Coccolithophores. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 107-159.
Young, J.R., Geisen, M., Cros, L., Kleijne, A., Sprengel,
C., Probert, I. & Østergaard, J. 2003. A guide to extant
coccolithophore taxonomy. Journal of Nannoplankton
Research, Special Issue, 1: 1-125.

INA1479

Can sample preparation techniques affect data on therelative abundance of Florisphaera profunda?
Claudia lupi

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy; claudia.lupi@unipv.it

Manuela bordiga

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala,Sweden; manuela.bordiga@geo.uu.se

Miriam Cobianchi

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Pavia University, Pavia, Italy; miriam@unipv.it

luc beaufort

CEREGE, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, France; beaufort@cerege.fr

This study aims to find the most accurate way of determining the relative abundance of Florisphaera profunda.
This species is involved in the paleoproductivity indices“N ratio” (Flores et al., 2000) and “%Fp” (Beaufort et al.,2010) because it is one of the most important deep-water
dwellers. Therefore, an accurate assessment of its relative
abundance is key to monitoring variations in nutricline
depth. This species consists of low birefringent nannoliths with a flat polygonal shape (mainly 1.5-4µm), eachconsisting of a single calcite crystal. As a consequenceof its particular morphology, F. profunda may be inaccurately counted during analyses because it is poorly
visible in the light microscope, and because its numbers
vary with the different methods of sample preparation.
To determine the most accurate abundance counting technique for F. profunda, we studied 59 samples from ODP
Site 1209B (Shatsky Rise, NW Pacific) from the last 450
ka. Each sample was prepared using three different standard techniques (settling, filtration, and smear slide) andanalyzed with a light microscope. Samples prepared withthe smear slide method were also analyzed with the automated recognition system SYRACO (Système de Reconnaissance Automatique de Coccolithes).
Of the three techniques, settling resulted in the lowest
abundance counts for F. profunda. The different F.
profunda abundances may result from (1) elimination ofvery small and tabular shaped particles with the settlingtechnique, (2) entrapment of the species on the filter as
indistinct aggregates with the filtering technique, probably leading to an abundance underestimation, and (3)absence of size selection with the smear slide technique,thus providing the highest percentages.
When comparing abundances of F. profunda obtainedwith a light microscope to those using SYRACO,SYRACO counts are consistently higher. This finding
would imply that SYRACO somehow overestimates
the abundance of F. profunda. The program reads anddiscriminates images based on morphology and birefringence, and the shape of F. profunda is very similar tothat of kaolinite or mica. To verify the presence of theseminerals in our samples, and thus to confirm the accuracyof the SYRACO method, we performed a diffraction analysis (XRD) on three samples. The first had comparable
relative abundances, the second had SYRACO and smear
slide abundances higher than filtration and settling ones,
and in the third, SYRACO abundances were strongly
higher than abundances performed with the other techniques. In each sample, we found the same moderate
percentage of clay minerals (up to 20%), excluding thepossibility of an overestimation made by the SYRACO
method. However, clear differences between the counts
are apparent and deserve further study.
Finally, for each set of data, we correlated an independent paleoproductivity index, the Δδ13Cp-b, with
the nannofossil indices ‘N’ and Fp%. All the data show
good correlation between nannofossil and geochemical
indices, although the settling technique provided the best
correlated N index (r= 0.68). This probably is because
the technique produces more homogeneous preparations
where not only specimens of F. profunda, but also othersmall coccoliths that are involved in the N formula, aredispersed evenly in the fields of view, and thus are more
visible for counting.
References
Beaufort, L., van der Kaars, S., Bassinot, F.C. & Moron,
V. 2010. Past dynamics of the Australian monsoon:
precession, phase and links to the global monsoon concept. Climate of the Past, 6: 695-706.
Flores, J.A., Gersonde, R, Sierro, F.J. et al. 2000. Southern Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil events: calibrations with isotope and geomagnetic stratigraphies.
Marine Micropaleontology, 40: 377-402.

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Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy across the
Cenomanian-Turonian boundary of the Great valley
Group, California
Clarence Y. Magtoto*

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines;
renz_y_magtoto@yahoo.com

allan Gil S. Fernando

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines;
agsfernando@yahoo.com

Reishi Takashima

Creative Research Initiative Sousei L-Station, Hokkaido University, N-21, W-10, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan; rtaka@m.tohoku.ac.jp

Hiroshi Nishi

Division of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, N-10, W-8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan;
hnishi@m.tohoku.ac.jp

Takashige Tomosugi
Hakatakoun Co., Ltd., Japan

Hisatake Okada

Division of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Hokkaido University, N-10, W-8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan

Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy across the Cenomanian-Turonian (C-T) boundary in the Budden Canyon
Formation was reinvestigated using samples collected atclosely spaced intervals. The C-T boundary was previously recognized within the Gas Point Member using thefirst occurrence (FO) of Eprolithus octopetalus, a supplementary event in the UC zonation scheme (Burnett et al.,1998) that occurs prior to the FO of Quadrum gartneri
and the last occurrence (LO) of Helenea chiastia, whichhave been used as C-T boundary markers in several
studies. Preliminary investigation of the samples revealed
the occurrence of additional marker taxa and nannofossil
events that can further refine the biostratigraphy acrossthe C-T boundary in the Budden Canyon Formation.
Although black shales have not been reported within theformation, the occurrence of a distinct TOC (total organiccarbon) excursion between the UC3e to UC6a Zones
probably does correspond to an organic carbon excursion
during the oceanic anoxic event 2 (OAE2). This makes the
Budden Canyon Formation one of the few sections in thenortheast Pacific Region where the global C-T boundaryOAE2 event can be observed.

References
Burnett, J.A., Gallagher, L.T. & Hampton, M.J. 1998.
Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R Bown (Ed). Calcareous
Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Publication Series, Chapman & Hall/
Kluwer Academic Publishers, London: 132-199.

INA1481

late Maastrichtian-early Paleocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy in southwest Iranazam Mahanipour

Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran; a_mahanipour@uk.ac.ir

Mohammad Parandavar

Institute of Research of Earth Sciences, Geological Survey of Iran, Tehran, Iran; parandavar.m@gmail.com

ali aghanabati

Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran; agha1036@yahoo.com

High-resolution calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy
was carried out across the K/Pg boundary interval in the
Tange-Pabdeh section in southwest Iran (Zagros Basin,
part of the Neo-Tethys). There is a stratigraphicallycontinuous Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sequence
here, and this section has been investigated with several
micropaleontology groups (foraminifera, dinoflagellates,
and calcareous nannofossils). The calcareous nannofossil assemblages are abundant, and their preservation ismoderate to good, making is possible to obtain a precise
bio-event sequence across the K/Pg boundary. The studiedinterval extends from the Nephrolithus frequens Zone
(CC26) to the Fasciculithus tympaniformis Zone (NP5).
In this section, calcareous nannofossil events across theK/Pg boundary are similar to those recorded elsewherein the Tethyan Realm (Aguado, 1993; Pospichal, 1995;
Gardin, 2002; Tantawy, 2003, et al.).
Latest Maastrichtian assemblages are abundantand diverse, and no significant decrease was observed
approaching the boundary. At the K/Pg boundary, there
is a decrease in the Cretaceous calcareous nannofossil
abundances and diversity, along with an increase in dinoflagellate cysts and Thoracosphaera operculata, andthe appearance of new Paleocene taxa (e.g., Futyania
petalosa, Cruciplacolithus primus, etc.). Blooms ofThoracosphaera operculata at the K/Pg boundary havebeen reported from several middle- to lower latitude
sites (Jiang & Gartner, 1986; Gardin & Monechi, 1998;
Tantawy, 2003; Bernaola & Monechi, 2007). In otherparts of the Tethyan Realm, a bloom of Braarudosphaera
bigelowii (e.g., Egypt: Tantawy, 2003; SE Spain: Lamolda
et al., 2005) has been observed after the Thoracosphaera
operculata acme, but this was not observed in the studiedsection. Above the K/Pg boundary, Cretaceous calcareous
nannofossils were observed together with new Paleocene
species.
The major problem at the K/Pg boundary interval iswhether the Cretaceous species found in the Danianshould be considered to be totally or partially reworked.
Some authors state that most Cretaceous species foundin the Danian sediments are reworked (Gartner, 1996).
Nevertheless, a few authors consider that several Cretaceous species did survive the catastrophe and then disappeared a short time after this (Gardin, 2002; Bernaola &Monechi, 2007). In the studied section, some of the Creta-

ceous calcareous nannofossils passed the K/Pg boundarywith good preservation and continued above the boundary
and are considered to be survivors. Some Cretaceous
species, however, had moderate to poor preservation
above the boundary and were only sporadically present,
and these are regarded as reworked.
References
Aguado, R. 1993. Nanofósiles del Cretácico de la Cordillera Bética: biostratigrafía. Unpublished PhD thesis,
Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.
Bernaola, G. & Monechi, S. 2007. Calcareous nannofossil extinction and survivorship across the Cretaceous−
Paleogene boundary at Walvis Ridge (ODP Hole
1262C, South Atlantic Ocean). Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 255: 132–156.
Gardin, S. 2002. Late Maastrichtian to early Danian calcareous nannofossils at Elles (Northwest Tunisia):
a tale of one million years across the K-T boundary.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology,
178: 211-231.
Gardin, S. & Monechi, S. 1998. Paleoecological change
in middle to low-latitude calcareous nannoplankton
at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. Bulletin de laSociété Géologique de France, 169: 709-723.
Gartner, S. 1996. Calcareous nannofossils at the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary. In: N. Maclead & G. Keller,(Eds). Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinctions. Biotic
and Environmental changes. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York: 27-47.
Jiang, M.J. & Gartner, S. 1986. Calcareous nannofossil
succession across the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary ineast-central Texas. Micropaleontology, 32: 232-255.
Lamolda, M.A., Melinte, M.C. & Kaiho, K. 2005. Nannofloral extinction and survivorship across the K/Tboundary at Caravaca, southeastern Spain. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 224:
27-52.
Pospichal, J.J. 1995. Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary calcareous nannofossils from Agost, Spain. In: J.A.
Flores & F.J. Sierro, (Eds). Proceedings of the 5th INA
Conference in Salamanca: 185-217.
Tantawy, A.A. 2003. Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoecology of the Cretaceous–Tertiary transition in the central eastern desert of Egypt. Marine
Micropaleontology, 47: 323–356.

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Seasonal patterns of coccolithophores, silicoflagellates,and ebridians from a coastal time series in the Gulf of Trieste (North adriatic Sea)
Elisa Malinverno

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences DISAT, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy; elisa.malinverno@unimib.it

Federica Cerino

Oceanography Section - OGS, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, 34151 Trieste, Italy; fcerino@ogs.trieste.it

Daniela Fornasaro

Oceanography Section - OGS, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, 34151 Trieste, Italy; dfornasaro@ogs.trieste.it

Marina Cabrini

Oceanography Section - OGS, Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale, 34151 Trieste, Italy; mcabrini@ogs.trieste.it

Since March 1986, there has been a monthly time series
collected through water sampling in the Gulf of Trieste.
The sampling station (C1-LTER, 45º42'30"N 13º42'36"E)is located 200 m from the coastline with a water depth of
18 m. Water-column samples (0.5, 5, 10, and 15 m) wereanalyzed from the 1986-2010 time series (Cabrini et al.,2012) in order to identify phytoplankton seasonal evolution and community structure. The analysis of total phytoplankton composition showed a clear seasonal cycle withpeak concentration values in late winter to early spring
due to monospecific diatom blooms, and low values inlate spring to summer when the phytoplankton is dominated by small flagellates. There is a second smaller peakin the fall that is dominated by diatoms, and low values
occur in early winter, when nanoflagellates dominate.
In addition, Cabrini et al. (2012) detected an important
regime shift within the analyzed time series: a period from1986 to 1994 that is characterized by high phytoplankton
abundance values and dominated by phytoflagellates, anda second period from 1995 to 2007 with low cell concentrations that is dominated by diatoms.
In this work, we analyzed the time series from August
2011 to July 2012, specifically addressing the vertical andseasonal distribution of selected phytoplankton groups –those possessing a mineralized skeleton and thus potentially preserved in the sediments and able to leave a fossil
record. Coccolithophores are a major group in the oligotrophic eastern Mediterranean, and Cabrini et al. (2012)
showed that they also can be seasonally important in theshallow areas of the Gulf of Trieste. In the present dataset,coccolithophores showed a primary abundance peak (up to
3.2x105 coccospheres/liter) from November to February
and a second smaller peak (up to 1x105 coccospheres/
liter) in May to June. Emiliania huxleyi was the mostabundant species throughout the analyzed time series, but
Acanthoica quattrospina also made an important contribution in January, while holococcolithophores (A. quat-

trospina HOL, Corisphaera gracilis, C. strigilis, and C.
mediterranea HOL) and small Syracosphaera species
were the most important group within the May to June
peak. In addition, there was a widespread occurrence,
especially in the subsurface layer, of species inhabiting
the intermediate photic zone during the late summer tofall period (Algirosphaera robusta, Calciopappus rigidus,
Ophiaster hydroideus, and Calciosolenia spp.), while
Rhabdosphaera clavigera and Syracosphaera pulchra
were most important during the summer months.
Among the flagellate groups, Cabrini et al. (2012)
reported silicoflagellates and ebridians from the Gulf ofTrieste. Worldwide, these silicifying groups make a minor
contribution to phytoplankton, and little is known about
their specific vertical and seasonal distribution because
only a few studies have dealt with their occurrence inwater samples. An improved knowledge of their ecological characteristics would be of great value, considering
their potential use in paleoecological reconstructions.
In the present dataset, the occurrence of silicoflagellates
was restricted to the fall-winter-spring period. Octactis
pulchra was the dominant species, occurring throughout
the water column from September to March, with peakvalues (8x104 cells/liter) in January. Dictyocha species
were present from September to January, primarily in thesubsurface layers, while Distephanus speculum occurred
only sporadically at different times and depths. Ebridiansalso showed a very clear seasonality, with Ebria tripartita occurring from January to March in the sub-surface
layers and Hermesinum adriaticum occurring throughout
the water column from June to August.
ReferenceCabrini, M., Fornasaro, D., Cossarini, G., Lipizer, M. &Virgilio, D. 2012. Phytoplankton temporal changes ina coastal northern Adriatic site during the last 25 years.
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 115: 113-124.

INA1483

Lateral versus downward coccolith flux in a canyon
setting at the southwestern Cretan margin (eastern
Mediterranean Sea)
E. Malinverno

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy; elisa.malinverno@unimib.it

Maria v. Triantaphyllou

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; mtriant@geol.uoa.gr

Margarita Dimiza

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, University of Athens, Athens, Greece; mdimiza@geol.uoa.gr

Spyros StavrakakisHellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Athens, Greece; stavrak@ath.hcmr.gr

v. lykousis

Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Athens, Greece; vlikou@hcmr.gr

A total of eight sediment traps (June 2005-May 2006)
were deployed along six moorings at the southwestern
Cretan margin to obtain time series results. The continental slope here (between Crete and Gavdos islands) is
cut by major submarine canyon systems that drain into
the deep Gortys-Gavdos Troughs. From west to east, fourmoorings were deployed at different depths along theaxis of the Samaria Canyon and on the Gavdos rise, one
mooring along the axis of the Paximades Channel, andone mooring on the northern side of the eastern South
Cretan Trough.
The major canyon systems coincide with subaerialcanyons onshore, pointing to a strong tectonic control.
Geophysical analyses of the area (Alvez et al., 2007)
revealed a Pliocene-Holocene sedimentation pattern thatcoincides with the modern canyons’ locations, showing
a greater thickness in regions coinciding with modern
depocenters. The Pliocene-Holocene sedimentary unit isrepresented by alternations of fine-grained turbidites andcoarse-grained mass-wasting deposits, which are typicalof confined deep-water basins.
The majority of the sediment traps were located inclose proximity to the bottom (15 m above the sea floor)
in order to detect activity in the canyon systems.
At these mooring sites, coccolithophore fluxes wereanalyzed as part of the sediment-forming material. Coccolithophores are a major phytoplankton group in the eastern
Mediterranean and contribute significantly to carbonate
sedimentation in pelagic and hemipelagic settings.
In this study, we analyzed the combined flux of intact
coccospheres and single coccoliths. The coccosphere/
coccolith ratio is an important ecological indicator inwater samples (Cachão et al., 2000), and in sedimenttraps, fluxes of coccospheres represent the primary signalof export production, while fluxes of single coccoliths
may indicate that there also was lateral transport.
A detailed analysis of coccolithophore export produc-tion (Malinverno et al., 2009) from the eight sediment traps
by means of intact coccosphere flux revealed a consistentpattern of seasonal variation in species’ distribution andtotal coccolithophore export. A major export peak in latespring to early summer, decreasing flux during summerfall, and an overall low flux in winter correspond to theseasonal variations in sea-surface temperature, surfacemixed layer depth, and precipitation that are associatedwith varying total surface primary production, as detected
through remote sensing in the surface waters.
In our dataset, the coccosphere/coccolith ratio
decreases with the collection depth as a function of coccosphere disruption. Malinverno et al. (2009) also showedthat robust coccospheres (Emiliania huxleyi), which are
more easily preserved, increase in relative abundancein the coccosphere assemblage at increasing collection
depths. In addition, minimum values of the coccosphere/
coccolith ratio occur at distinct intervals at some mooringsites. These intervals coincide with peak mass fluxes andlikely represent events of redeposition of material mobilized from the bottom at the margins of the canyon system.
References
Alvez, T.M., Lykousis, V., Sakellariou, D., Alexandri, S.
& Nomikou, P. 2007. Constraining the origin and evolution of confined turbidite systems: southern Cretan
margin, Eastern Mediterranean Sea (34°30–36°N).
Geo-Marine Letters, 27: 41-61.
Cachão, M., Oliveira, A., Silva, A., Geisen, M., Ziveri P.,
Broerse, A. & Probert, I. 2000. The ecological potential of (cocco)liths versus (cocco)spheres. Journal of
Nannoplankton Research, 22(2): 87-88.
Malinverno, E., Triantaphyllou, M.V., Stavrakakis, S.,
Ziveri, P. & Lykousis, P. 2009. Seasonal and spatial
variability of coccolithophore export production at
the south-western margin of Crete (eastern Mediterranean). Marine Micropaleontology, 71: 131-147.

84

INA14

Coccolithophore fluxes and variability from central andeastern Sulu Sea sediment traps in 2008-2009
Dorothy Joyce D. Marquez-ardiente*

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; doyce757@gmail.com

alyssa M. Peleo-alampay

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; ampanigs@yahoo.com

Martin WiesnerInstitute of Biogeochemistry & Marine Chemistry, Center of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany;martin.wiesner@zmaw.de

Niko lahajnar

Institute of Biogeochemistry & Marine Chemistry, Center of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany;niko.lahajnar@zmaw.de

Sediment traps facilitate measurement of the settling of
calcium carbonate particles, such as coccolithophores,
through the water column. These calcareous organisms
play an essential role in the sequestration of carbon fromthe atmosphere into the oceans. This study investigatescoccolithophore flux from sediment traps collected in theeastern and central parts of the Sulu Sea from January
2008 to February 2009. The eastern Sulu site (8°23.009'N
121°08.220'E) had traps at 1089 and 3317 m, and thecentral Sulu site (8°55.014'N 121°57.443'E) had traps at
1127 and 3459 m. In all the traps, Gephyrocapsa oceanica
dominated the assemblage, followed by Florisphaera
profunda. Other species include Reticulofenestra parvula,
Umbilicosphaera foliosa, U. sibogae, Calcidiscus leptoporus, Emiliania huxleyi, and Gladiolithus sp. An inverse
correlation between G. oceanica and F. profunda abundances is evident in the results from all the traps. Coccolith flux is higher in the central Sulu traps than in theeastern Sulu traps. However, coccosphere flux is higher inthe deep-water eastern Sulu trap. Coccolith flux is highest
during the winter monsoon (NE monsoon), which affects
the Philippines from November to early April. In theshallower water central trap, coccosphere flux maxima
occur in January, March-April, and June, traversing thelatter part of the NE (winter) monsoon and the beginningof the SW (summer) monsoon. Most of the variability
in the coccolithophore abundances may be attributed to
upwelling off the coast of Zamboanga and probably farther
east along Negros Island. The stronger NE monsoon
winds may be the main driving force for the upwelling
events during the winter months. However, for the deeper
traps, the coccosphere flux is highest in July to August,well into the summer monsoon. This may indicate that the
upwelling extended into the summer monsoon months,
during which time the winds are usually weaker than in
the winter. Gephyrocapsa oceanica comprises most of
the total coccolith and coccosphere flux except for a few
months in the winter monsoon (especially in December2008) when F. profunda dominated the assemblage. Thismay mean that during these months, monsoon-driven
upwelling may not have been strong enough to raise thenutricline to shallower depths, making it more advantageous for F. profunda production.

INA1485

Reconstruction of surface-water dynamics at IODP Site
U1314 during the mid-Pleistocene transition (Marine
Isotope Stages 30-19) based on coccolithophore analyses
Marta Martínez-Sánchez

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; marta.martinez@usal.es

José a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Francisco J. Sierro

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; sierro@usal.es

Ivan Hernández-almeida

Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ivan.hernandez@giub.unibe.ch

Changes in surface-water dynamics were reconstructed in
the North Atlantic Ocean using coccolithophore assemblages from IODP Site U1314 (56°21'N 27°53'W, 2800m) in the interval of Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 30-19(1050-780 ka) at orbital resolution. This study includes
the mid-Pleistocene transition (MPT) when the dominant periodicity of climate cycles changed from obliquity to eccentricity in the absence of substantial change
in orbital forcing. In the North Atlantic, the general trendof paleoproductivity showed an increase during interglacials and a decrease during glacials. Paleoproductivity is
consistently low during glacials but shows more rapid
fluctuations during interglacials. North Atlantic productivity is controlled by the oscillations of cold and productive Arctic waters or by the warm and oligotrophic North
Atlantic Current (NAC) (Naafs et al., 2010). This balance
generates oscillations in the position of the Irminger
Current (IC) (Ólafsdóttir et al., 2010). This pattern has
been primarily observed for the intervals MISs 30-25 andMISs 21-19. An influence of subtropical water occurred
during MIS 23 and persisted through the glacial MISs
24 and 22. These stages are considered to be the coldestof the entire studied time interval (Heslop et al., 2002;
Hernández-Almeida et al., 2012) Comparison of insolation in June at 60°N with the nannofossil accumulation
rate of eutrophic species allows one to observe goodcorrelation of paleoproductivity fluctuations with insolation cycles. Variations in insolation controlled the continuous displacement of the sub-polar gyre with the arrivalat the site of sub-polar surface waters or IC and caused

fluctuations in paleoproductivity. The insolation curvein October at 60°N shows an interesting pattern during
MIS 23, when it does not show the decrease in amplitude that was observed for the insolation curve in June at
60°N. During MIS 23, therefore, the possible influenceof subtropical waters at the site can be related to more
insolation during the fall season, causing a weakening ofsummer insolation influence on the sub-polar gyre system.
The result of this study concludes that the North Atlantic
system is highly sensitive to even extremely weak perturbations in insolation at millennial time scales.
References
Hernández-Almeida, I., Sierro, F.J, Cacho, I. & Flores,
J.-A. 2012. Impact of suborbital climate changes
in the North Atlantic on ice-sheets dynamics at the
mid-Pleistocene Transition. Paleoceanography, 27,
PA3214: 14.
Heslop, D., Dekkers, M.J. & Langereis, C.G. 2002. Timing and structure of the mid-Pleistocene transition:
records from the loess deposits of northern China.
Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology
185: 133-143.
Naafs, B.D., Stein, R., Hefter, J., Khélifi, N. & De Schepper, S. 2010. Late Pliocene changes in the North Atlantic Current. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 298:
434-442.
Ólafsdóttir, S., Jennings, A.E., Geirsdóttir, A. & Giffird,
H.M. 2010. Holocene variability of the North Atlantic
Irminger current on the south and northwest shelf of
Iceland. Marine Micropaleontology, 77(3-4): 101-118.

86

INA14

Recent advances in calcareous nannofossil
biostratigraphy across the Pliensbachian-Toarcian
boundary in the Peniche section, the GSSP candidate,and comparisons with other Tethyan settings
Emanuela Mattioli

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France;emanuela.mattioli@univ-lyon1.fr

The main candidate for the Global Boundary Stratotype
Section and Point (GSSP) for the base of the Toarcian
Stage is the Peniche section (Lusitanian Basin, Portugal),
which satisfies most of the requirements recommended
by the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS).
The Pliensbachian-Toarcian boundary at Peniche is partof a continuous section that encompasses over 450 m ofcarbonate-rich sediments. At the Pliensbachian-Toarcian
boundary, observed in an alternating marl-limestone
unit, no significant vertical facies changes, stratigraphic
gaps, or hiatuses have been recorded. The paleontological record shows abundant, diverse, and well-preserved
macro- and microfossil assemblages.
The excellent record of Toarcian sediments allows theidentification of calcareous nannofossil events (primarily
first occurrences) that were previously attributed toyounger strata because of a combined effect of (1) conden-

sation or hiatuses in many classical areas of the western
Tethys previously studied for nannofossil biostratigraphy,and (2) a Lazarus effect that controlled the distribution of
species routinely used in biostratigraphy. In fact, a temporary disappearance of some coccolith species is recorded
during the early Toarcian anoxic event. These re-occur
consistently in strata younger than the event. Recently
acquired nannofossil data, and a re-evaluation of nannofossil biostratigraphy in previously studied sections, indicate that a similar pattern is recorded in expanded sections
from Morocco, central Italy, and Spain.
A very tight correlation of the Peniche section to themagnetostratigraphy of Almonacid de la Cuba (Iberian
Range, Spain) allows us to discuss the magnetic record
and to correlate it to the Karoo volcanic reversed/normal
polarity succession. This provides the ability to project
Karoo ages onto the Toarcian boundary interval.

INA1487

Fossil and Recent silicoflagellate double skeletons:
clues to evolutionary history, taxonomy, and theformation of skeletons
Kevin McCartney

Department of Environmental Studies, University of Maine at Presque Isle, Presque Isle, ME 04769, USA; kevin.mccartney@umpi.edu

Jakub Witkowski

Geology & Palaeogeography Unit, Faculty of Geosciences, University of Szczecin, 70-383 Szczecin, Poland;
jakub.witkowski@univ.szczecin.pl

Richard W. Jordan

Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan;
sh081@kdw.kj.yamagata-u.ac.jp

David M. Harwood

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0340, USA; dharwood1@unlnotes.unl.edu

Michael a. Harrison

Department of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588-0340, USA; maharrison@bsu.edu

An intriguing and largely overlooked aspect of silicoflagellate biology and paleontology is the occurrence of
double skeletons (also termed doublets or paired skeletons). As few as 50 double skeletons have been illustrated
to date in the reviewed scientific literature. The two skeletons making up a doublet are generally understood to beconnected along the surfaces of the elements and spinesthat compose the basal structure, with the pikes reaching
into the cellular domain of the sibling skeleton to help
hold the pair together. Basal rings of a double skeleton
were understood to have in all cases the basal corners
aligned with sibling basal spines against one anotheralong the abbasal surfaces.
Fossils from several Upper Cretaceous localities in
the Arctic regions of Canada and Russia show a dramatically different double skeleton configuration in which thebasal corners are aligned with the mid-basal sides of thesibling skeleton in a “star-of David” design. This generalconfiguration was observed for three Cretaceous genera
and on very rare double skeletons of three- and four-sided
specimens from the Paleogene. This presents interesting
possible alternative interpretations for early silicoflagellate evolution and taxonomy.
The double skeleton design has also been interpreted
for some of the oldest known silicoflagellates (Early

Cretaceous of Antarctica), which do not have basal
rings. The sibling skeletons were connected along limbs
composed of several skeletal components. Both thegeneral and double skeleton morphologies were interpreted through the construction of physical models, whichshow that, despite obvious differences, radial spines andpikes are largely similar to modern skeletons. The limb
terminations are connected and aligned with what appear
to be apical, but can be interpreted as basal, spines of thesibling skeleton.
A study of modern double skeletons ofDistephanus speculum and Dictyocha messanensis
suggests that the skeletal morphology is transposed fromthe mother to the daughter skeleton through the center ofthe cell. This produces a copy of the mother skeleton that
preserves the sinistral rotation of the strut attachments
and apical rings on both skeletons. This transposition ofskeletal morphology across the cell is generally consistent with observations of the interpreted double skeletonsfrom the Early Cretaceous. This suggests that the twosilicoflagellate lineages that produce double skeletons incontrasting patterns share a common ancestor. Furthermore, some of the well-established fossil taxa (e.g.,
Corbisema) may require taxonomic reevaluation in thelight of their mode of double skeleton formation.

88

INA14

Coccolith calcification changes during glacial terminationsin the North atlantic Ocean
K.J. Sebastian Meier

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Institute of Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany; smeier@gpi.uni-kiel.de

Christine bauke

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Institute of Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany; cbauke@gpi.uni-kiel.de

Hanno Kinkel

University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark; haki@sdu.dk

Glacial to interglacial environmental changes have astrong impact on coccolithophore assemblage composition, as do glacial terminations, which are characterized bya relatively strong increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration. In order to determine how these two processes influence calcite production of coccolithophores, we comparedcoccolith weight estimates obtained with the automatedcoccolith recognition system SYRACO (Système deReconnaissance Automatique de Coccolithes) with scanning electron microscope (SEM) assemblage counts forthe last two glacial terminations (T1 and T2). Samples
were obtained from sediment cores in the North Atlantic(MD3180, Azores; ODP Site 980, Rockall Plateau;
SO164-17-2, Florida Strait). The most common observation was an increase in the average weight of Noelaerhabdaceae coccoliths at times of increasing atmosphericCO2, which contradicts previous findings. This effect isstrongest during termination T2 in the Florida Strait. An
assemblage shift towards heavier calcifying morphotypes
can only partially explain the observed coccolith weightincrease, which appears to be partly due to an increasein coccolithophore calcification. Therefore, carbonate
system variability is only a minor component for driving
coccolithophore calcification at the observed sites.

INA1489living on the edge of CaCO3 undersaturation:a recurring autumn coccolithophore bloom in Kiel bay(SW baltic Sea)
K.J. Sebastian Meier

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Institute of Geosciences, 24118 Kiel, Germany; smeier@gpi.uni-kiel.de

Hanno Kinkel

University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230, Odense M, Denmark, haki@sdu.dk

Although one of the first detailed investigations of living
coccolithophores was conducted in the Kiel Bay at the
beginning of the 20th Century (Lohmann, 1908), little is
known about their distribution in the Baltic Sea. Lohmann’s centrifuge sampling technique revealed that Emiliania huxleyi (at that time called Pontosphaera huxleyi)
occurred in the bay between November and August of
1905/1906. In contrast, a century later, Tyrrell et al. (2008)
assumed that the absence of coccolithophores from theBaltic proper could be due to undersaturation with respect
to CaCO3 during the winter.
We present plankton sampling counts from the innermost Kiel Fjord near the Tirpitz Harbor in Kiel and fromseveral short cruises aboard the RV Polarfuchs, the RV
Littorina, and the RV Alkor from the years 2009 to 2012,
which show that coccolithophores are a common memberof the autumn phytoplankton bloom in Kiel Bay. Usually
only a few isolated liths or single cells were detected on
the filters throughout the year. However, depending on
the year, cell numbers of E. huxleyi started increasing
between the end of August and the end of September. This
time of the year is characterized by decreasing temperature (from maximum values of about 20°C in August to
about 8°C in December), the highest salinity values ofaround 18 to 22 psu, and a nutrient increase following thenutrient depletion during the summer. Cells became undetectable between mid-October and late December. Timing
and average cell numbers were similar to 100 years ago(about 105 cells/l; Lohmann, 1908), but during exceptional years, coccolithophore cell numbers reached bloom
strength (>106 cells/l in September 2009). Morphometricanalyses showed that only E. huxleyi Type A is present in
the Kiel Bay. The liths were rather small (mostly below
3µm on average) but calcified normally. In addition to
E. huxleyi, several other coccolithophore species wereobserved. The species Algirosphaera robusta and Acanthoica quattrospina (both heterococcoliths and holococcoliths) were the most abundant, while Syracosphaera
borealis and Alisphaera extenta were only minor compo-

nents. Furthermore, a previously undescribed calcifying
nannoplankton species was found. These species are also
commonly found in North Sea and Skagerrak coccolithophore communities. Taking into account the sporadic
occurrence of E. huxleyi throughout the year, it seems
likely that coccolithophores are a permanent constituentof the Baltic Sea plankton community, but only reachdetectable levels during the autumn phytoplankton bloom.
Blooms of Emiliania huxleyi in the surface layer
co-occurred with CaCO3 undersaturation in bottom waters(~18 m water depth). In order to test if carbonate systemparameters are limiting the growth of E. huxleyi, a batchof sea water was collected at the end of the growth season
in late November 2012, and was incubated at constanttemperature (9°C) and light conditions (light-dark cycle
9/15 hours, 50 µmol m-2 s-1). Whereas cell numbers in thefield continued to decrease, E. huxleyi started growing
exponentially (0.24 divisions per day) in the incubatedwater until it was outgrown by co-occurring diatoms
after 15 days of incubation. This demonstrates that the
carbonate system is most likely not limiting growth,
but rather decreasing temperature, low light levels, andincreasing turbidity are responsible for the decline ofcoccolithophores in winter. To investigate whether theBaltic Sea E. huxleyi population is morphologically andgenetically different from the North Sea and Skagerrak
populations, and possibly shows an adaptation to low
CaCO3 saturation levels, remains an interesting task forthe future.
References
Lohmann, H. 1908. Untersuchungen zur Feststellung desvollständigen Gehaltes des Meeres an Plankton. Wissenschaftliche Meeresuntersuchungen, Abteilung Kiel,
Neue Folge, 10: 132-270.
Tyrrell, T., Schneider, B., Charalampopoulou, A. & Riebesell, U. 2008. Coccolithophores and calcite saturation
state in the Baltic and Black Seas. Biogeosciences,5(2): 485-494.

90

INA14

The Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum (MECO) event in
the Keresta borehole in the southern Russian Platform
and changes in nannofossil and dinoflagellate cyst
assemblages
vladmir Musatov

Lower Volga Scientific Research Institute for Geology and Geophysics, Saratov, Russia; dr.musatov@yandex.ru

Оlga Vasilyeva

Geology & Geochemistry Institute at the RAS Ural Branch, Ekaterinburg, Russia; vasilyeva@igg.uran.ru

A section from the Keresta borehole in the Ergeny area
(Georgia) (42°21'51"N 43°24'52"E) penetrated the uppermost part of the Kuberla Formation, the Keresta Formation, and the lower part of the Solonka Formation. The
uppermost part of the Kuberla Formation is composed ofglauconitic quartz sands, grading into sandy carbonate
clays (6 m) upwards in the section. The nannoplankton
complex contains Nannotetrina fulgens, N. cristata, N.
pappii, N. nitida, D. prebifax, Chiasmolithus gigas, andDiscoaster martini, placing it in Subzone CP13b.
The white and greenish coccolith limestones of the
Keresta Formation (8.5 m) are separated from the underlying Kuberla Formation by a distinct sedimentation break.
Discoaster bifax appears at the base of the formation.
Zygrhablithus bijugatus increases and becomes dominant. Pontosphaera spp., Transversopontis spp., Pemmabasquensis, and Braarudosphaera bigelowii become
numerous, and rare Scyphosphaera expansa appear.
Substantial numbers of Nannotetrina fulgens, N. cristata,N. pappii, and solitary Discoaster martini still occur. All
coccoliths increase in size and are often encrusted withsecondary calcite, and warm-water species increase.
Discoaster bifax places this interval in the lowermost
part of Subzone CP14a. The warm-water nannoplankton
complex, high CaCO3 content, and substantial reductionof Corg suggest that the Keresta Formation was formed innormal oxic conditions with high water temperatures, andmay correspond to the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum(MECO).
The overlying Solonka Formation bears signs of abreak at its base, and its lower part consists of brownmarls (1.5 m) that are rich in dispersed organic matterand contain numerous fish scales and bones. Up section,
the marls grade into greenish, slightly calcareous clays (4m) with abundant radiolarians. The lower marl member
corresponds to the upper part of Subzone CP14a based on
the occurrence of numerous large (>14µm) specimens ofReticulofenestra umbilicus, Cribrocentrum reticulatum,
Clathrolithus spinosus, and Corannulus germanicus,
while Nannotetrina spp. almost disappear, and only solitary specimens of N. cristata occur.
The greenish clays of the upper part of the Solonka
Formation have a depleted nannofossil assemblage, andChiasmolithus solitus and Rhabdosphaera gladius disappear almost completely with only solitary specimens
and fragments observed. Only R. umbilicus, Coccolithus
pelagicus, C. eopelagicus, and small Reticulofenestra
spp. are still numerous. These clays are tentatively placedin Subzone CP14b. Similar successive appearances of
the above species were observed in the middle Eocene
section along the Kheu River (northern Caucasus), andD. bifax first occurrence (FO) was recorded in the base of
the first basal interlayer of the brown marls of the Kuma
Formation that were formed in anoxic near-bottom waterconditions. Large specimens of Reticulofenestra umbilicus (>14µm) appear higher, near the middle of the lower
half of the formation.
The Keresta-1 section is represented by rich anddiverse complexes of dinocysts and green algae. The
Kuberla and the Keresta Formations are in the Enneadocysta arcuata Zone of the middle Eocene LutetianStage. The Solonka Formation is described from layerswith Wilsonidium intermedium. A series of successive
biotic dinocyst events, such as FO of Wisonidium echinosuturatum, FO, acme, and last occurrence (LO) of
Phthanoperidinium cornutum, FO of W. tabulatum, FO
of P. distinctum, FO of Enneadocysta multicornuta, andFO and acme of Wisonidium intermedium may be used
for intraregional correlations through that stratigraphic
interval. The Keresta Formation dinocyst association isrepresented by thermophilic taxa inclusive of Wisonidium
echinosuturatum and most probably corresponds to the
MECO event.
The following conclusions can be made for the Keresta
borehole: (1) the upper part of the Kuberly Formation
corresponds to Subzone CP13b, (2) the white coccolithrich limestones of the Keresta Formation of Subzone
CP14a were deposited in normal oxic conditions andcorrespond to the lower part of the Kuma Formation,
which formed in a deeper water part of the basin withanoxic conditions near its base, (3) the Keresta Formation
corresponds to the MECO episode, and (4) the Solonka
Formation (Subzone CP14a and probably Subzone
CP14b) probably corresponds to the upper half of thenorthern Caucasus Kuma Formation.

INA1491

Calcareous nannoplankton response across the EoceneOligocene transition in the North atlantic Ocean
Cherry Newsam*

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK; cherry.newsam.11@ucl.ac.uk

Paul bown

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK; p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

IODP Expedition 342 Scientists

The Paleogene greenhouse-icehouse transition was aninterval of profound long-term climatic change that was
accompanied by significant biotic change and, in particular, turnover and diversity loss in the calcareous nannoplankton. The middle Eocene through early Oligocene
experienced climatic deterioration from a greenhouseinto an icehouse world, culminating in a sharp coolingat the Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT). The interval
includes key climatic events such as the Middle Eocene
Climatic Optimum (MECO) and the Eocene-Oligocene
boundary (EOB). The EOB, which lies within the EOT,
is defined by a biotic marker, the extinction of the Hantkenindae family of planktonic foraminifera. A range ofglobal environmental disruptions occurred during theEOT, including extreme cooling, continental ice sheet
growth on Antarctica, sea-level fall, >1 km deepening of
the calcite compensation depth (CCD), increased ocean
alkalinity, and a marine biotic disturbance with elevatedlevels of plankton extinction and turnover. Calcareous
nannoplankton appear to have been the dominant oceanic
phytoplankton group in the early Paleogene until the EOT,

at which time they declined in diversity, although we stillknow little of the structure and timing of this diversity
decline through the late Eocene.
Here we will present calcareous nannofossil data froma stratigraphically expanded EOT succession at IODP
Site 1411 that yields exceptionally well-preserved calcareous microfossils. The section was recovered in the NW
Atlantic Ocean during IODP Expedition 342 (June-July2012). Semi-quantitative data and simple abundancecounts highlight high-resolution species extinction
events, originations, and acmes, as well as major shifts inabundance patterns across the EOT transition. The demiseof Discoaster barbadiensis, Discoaster saipanensis,
Reticulofenestra reticulata, and Coccolithus formosus,
and an increase in Reticulofenestra daviesii clearly indicate that the paleoclimatic/paleoceanographic conditions
changed to a cooler environment. Determining the precise
timing of these events allows us to examine the relationship between plankton evolution and the strongly shifting
paleoclimatic/paleoceanographic conditions in the North
Atlantic and elsewhere at this time.

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Living coccolithophores in the Western Pacific Warm Pool
Jaan Ruy Conrad P. Nogot*

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; jrcnogot@gmail.com

alyssa M. Peleo-alampay

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; ampanigs@yahoo.com

Yuji Kashino

Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Kanagawa Japan;
kashinoy@jamstec.go.jp

Marilou Martin

Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; marilou.martin@gmail.com

Rhett Simon Tabbada

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Quezon City, Philippines; rsdtabbada@pnri.dost.gov.ph

The Western Pacific Warm Pool (WPWP) is characterized
by some of the warmest sea waters of the global ocean,with sea surface temperatures (SST) exceeding 28°C. The
WPWP is a major source of heat to the atmosphere, as
well as a site of deep atmospheric convection and heavy
rainfall. It has been the subject of many studies in recent
years because of its significant role in the Earth’s climate
system. This study investigates the distribution of living
coccolithophores from surface and subsurface (deep chlorophyll maximum – DCM) water samples that were taken
during the MR13-01 cruise of R/V Mirai in March 2-17,
2013, in the West Caroline Basin and the West Philippine
Basin-Southern Sub Basin (WPB-SSB), located in the
WPWP. The abundance and species diversity of surface-water coccolithophores were very low to zero. Coccolithophores in the subsurface water (40–100 m) weremore abundant. A total of 27 living species were recorded.
Coccolithophore abundance in the WPWP increased witha decline in the amounts of dissolved oxygen. Umbellosphaera irregularis was the dominant species in oligotrophic surface waters, while Florisphaera profunda characterized the oligotrophic subsurface assemblage. The
eutrophic surface and subsurface waters were marked by
an abundance of Gephyrocapsa oceanica, while at deeper
depths Oolithotus antillarum was much more abundant.
Floral composition shows that the productivity levels in
the waters of the West Caroline Basin increase northward,
while waters in the WPB-SSB are generally eutrophic.

INA1493

a cellular perspective on coccolithophore growth andbiomineralization at the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal
MaximumSarah a. O’Dea

Ocean & Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;sarah.odea@noc.soton.ac.uk

Samantha J. Gibbs

Ocean & Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;samantha.gibbs@noc.soton.ac.uk

Paul R. bown

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

Jeremy R. Young

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; jeremy.young@ucl.ac.uk

alex J. Poulton

Ocean Biogeochemistry & Ecosystems, National Oceanography Centre, Waterfront Campus, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;
alex.poulton@noc.ac.uk

Cherry Newsam*

Ocean & Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;
Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; cherry.newsam.11@ucl.ac.uk

Paul a. Wilson

Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton, University of Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK;paul.wilson@noc.soton.ac.uk

The geological record provides a valuable archive of
coccolithophore responses to past climate change andocean acidification (OA) that are of relevance for predictions of coccolithophore responses to modern environmental perturbation. Here, we apply morphometricmethods to quantify the skeletal thickness of fossil coccoliths and combine this with new data from fossil coccospheres across an interval of past climate warming and
OA at the Paleocene Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM,~56 Ma). Applying the results of experiments withmodern coccolithophore species (Gibbs et al., 2013) toour PETM fossil data, we provide unprecedented insights
into species-specific calcification responses during the
PETM at a cellular level. Specifically, we use the recently
identified relation between coccosphere geometry andcellular growth rate (Gibbs et al., 2013) to estimate rates
of calcification in fossil coccolithophore populations forthe first time.
Our data reveal transient thinning of Coccolithus pelagicus coccoliths immediately prior to the PETM, which
represents a hypothesized biomineralization response tosurface OA. In addition, we observe a decrease in growthand calcification rates of C. pelagicus populations during
the interval of maximum warmth, which contrasts withthe consistent growth and calcite production of populations of Toweius pertusus, an ancestral species of modern
Emiliania huxleyi. Our analyses indicate that the net effectof changing coccolith thickness on whole-cell calcite
production is modest during the PETM. We determine,
however, that due to the typically larger size of modern
C. pelagicus coccoliths and the increased difference inmorphotypic calcite mass of E. huxleyi (Young & Ziveri,
2000), ongoing environmental change will likely havegreater implications for modern and near-future global
coccolithophore calcite production than that observed
during the PETM.
References
Gibbs, S.J., Poulton, A.J., Bown, P.R., Daniels, C.J., Hopkins, J., Young, J.R., Jones, H.L., Thiemann, G.J.,
O’Dea, S.A. & Newsam, C.* 2013. Species-specificgrowth response of coccolithophores to PalaeoceneEocene environmental change. Nature Geoscience, 6:218-222, doi: 10.1038/NGEO1719.
Young, J.R. & Ziveri, P. 2000. Calculation of coccolithvolume and its use in calibration of carbonate flux estimates. Deep-Sea Research Part II-Topical Studies in
Oceanography 47: 1679-1700.

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biostratigraphic correlation of Paleogene sediments
based on calcareous nannofossils in four wells from theTampico-Misantla basin, Gulf of Mexico
Patricia E. Padilla a.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; ppadilla@imp.mx

antonio Reyes v.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; areyesv@imp.mx

Julio C. González l.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; jcgonzal@imp.mx

Maria Eugenia Gómez l.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; megomez@imp.mx

Maria Janett Sánchez D.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; msduran@imp.mx

Daniel Olvera G.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; daolvera@imp.mx

Edgar a. Morales

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; eamorale@imp.mx

belem J. Hernández D.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; bhdamian@imp.mx

Marcelo aguilar P.

Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, 07730, México City, México; mapina@imp.mx

alberto Segura Treviño

Pemex Exploración y Producción, Activo de Exploración Aguas Profundas Norte, Poza Rica, México

José Javier Hernández Mendoza R.

Pemex Exploración y Producción, Activo de Exploración Aguas Profundas Norte, Poza Rica, México

Julieta Martínez García

Pemex Exploración y Producción, Activo de Exploración Aguas Profundas Norte, Poza Rica, México

Based on a calcareous nannofossils study of cuttingsand core samples from wells here named A, B, C, andD, a biostratigraphic correlation of the upper Oligocene to lower Paleocene sediments was carried out in
the Tampico-Misantla Basin. The age of the sediments
in Well A extends from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) to
the lower Paleocene (Selandian). The biozones include
NP16-NP12, NP10-NP9, NP6, and NP4. In Well B, theupper Oligocene (Chattian) to upper Paleocene (Thanetian) was identified, and the following biozones wererecognized: NP24-NP19, NP17-NP14, NP12-NP11, andNP9. Sediments from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) to theupper Paleocene (Thanetian) were documented in WellC, and the biozones include NP14-NP9. In well D, themiddle Eocene (Lutetian) to lower Eocene (Ypresian) was
recognized, and the following biozones were identified inthis well: NP15, NP13-NP11.
A biostratigraphic analysis of the wells allowed chronostratigraphic correlation of biozones from the upper
Paleocene (Thanetian) to the middle Eocene (Lutetian).
Biozone NP9, which occurs in A, B, and C wells, is overlain by biozone NP10 only in wells A and C. The NP11
biozone can be recognized in wells B, C, and D. Biozone
NP12 is the only biozone found in all four wells. NP13
occurs in wells A, C, and D, always overlying biozone 12.

Biozone NP14 was documented in wells A, B, and C. In
wells A, B, and D, biozone NP15 is present. This biozone
underlies biozone NP16 in wells A and B. A continuous
sequence from biozone NP19 to biozone NP24 wasrecognized only in borehole B. From this biostratigraphic
analysis, it can be concluded that several discontinuities
are present. In well A, discontinuities for nannofossil
biozones NP11, NP8, NP7, and NP5 occur. In Well B, thediscontinuities detected are for NP18, NP13, and NP10.
In well D, a discontinuity for NP14 was observed. These
discontinuities are interpreted either to be hiatuses related
to erosion or may represent nondepositional events associated with sea-level fluctuations. In the later scenario,
the sea-level changes might have stimulated nannoflora
migration.
References
Bown, P. 2005. Palaeogene calcareous nannofossils fromthe Kilwa and Lindi areas of coastal Tanzania (Tanzania Drilling Project 2003-4). Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 27(1): 21-95.
Perch-Nielsen, K. 1985. Cenozoic Calcareous Nannofossils In: H.M. Bolli, J.B. Saunders & K. Perch-Nielsen(Eds). Plankton Stratigraphy. Cambridge University
Press, New York: 427-545.

INA1495

Coccolithophore flux in sediment traps from northern
South China Sea
alyssa M. Peleo-alampay

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; ampanigs@yahoo.com

Dorothy Joyce D. Marquez-ardiente*

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines; doyce757@gmail.com

Martin WiesnerInstitute of Biogeochemistry & Marine Chemistry, Center of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany;martin.wiesner@zmaw.de

Niko lahajnar

Institute of Biogeochemistry & Marine Chemistry, Center of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences, University of Hamburg, Germany;niko.lahajnar@zmaw.de

Annually, the South China Sea is greatly affected by strong
monsoons, which make it sensitive to climate change andresults in a strong seasonal signal in primary production. Thus, it is particularly ideal for seasonal variability
studies. It is located between two major weather regimesof the world: the Indian Ocean monsoon area and the vast
Pacific and Australian and Asian monsoon systems. It isessential to gain an understanding of the effect of these
atmospheric events on the productivity of the waters andon the sediments falling to the sea floor. Sediment traps

provide the opportunity for collection of settling particulate matter in the water column over a fixed period oftime. This study investigates the flux of coccolithophores
in sediment trap samples collected in the northern South
China Sea from May 2011 to April 2012. Three sedimenttraps were recovered at different depths (1003, 2158, and3196 m). The influence of the monsoons on variations incoccolithophore abundance and species assemblage will
be analyzed in each of the trap depths.

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Micropaleontology in archaeology: reconstruction ofprovenance of ancient ceramics through calcareous
nannofossils
Davide Persico

Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra “Macedonio Melloni”, Università degli Studi di Parma, I-43100 Parma, Italy;
davide.persico@unipr.it

Carla Cogliati

Archaeologist from S.A.E.R., I-42021 Barco di Bibbiano (RE), Italy; carla.cogliati@libero.it

andrea artoni

Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra “Macedonio Melloni”, Università degli Studi di Parma, I-43100 Parma, Italy;
andrea.artoni@unipr.it

Giuliana villa

Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra “Macedonio Melloni”, Università degli Studi di Parma, I-43100 Parma, Italy;
giuliana.villa@unipr.it

Archaeological discoveries of prehistoric pottery occur
frequently in northern Italy (Bernabò Brea et al., 1997). It
is uncommon, however, to discover calcareous nannofossils in prehistoric pottery. Two different cases of provenance reconstruction of prehistoric artifacts are presented
here that resolved with the use of calcareous nannofossils.
This confirms the importance of an integrated archaeological/paleontological method of investigation (Quinn etal., 2007).
Case 1 - Some specimens of macroforaminifers(Nummulites spp.) were observed in an isolated fragmentof prehistoric vase bottom recovered from the Po River(Cremona Province, Italy). This finding led us to look forcalcareous nannofossils in the vase in order to date thecalcareous sediment that was used as a degreaser in thevase’s construction. Calcareous nannofossils were recovered from inside some carbonate clasts, and together with
the Paleogene macroforaminifers, as well as a heterogeneous lithological assemblage recognized in other clasts,
it is probable that the sediments came from geologicalformations east of Garda Lake (Luciani, 1987; Zampieri et al., 1994). This location is likely to be the origin
for the vase’s material and where it was manufactured.
Since the vase was found in a region far from this location, this information can be used to reconstruct migration
paths and/or commercial trade routes in protohistory (deMarinis, 1997).
Case 2 - Ten smear slides were prepared for calcareous nannofossil study from carbonate clasts in four
different fragments of pottery from a prehistoric site inVicofertile, near the Baganza River (northern Italy). The
micropaleontological investigation showed a calcareous
nannofossil assemblage characteristic of the early Eocene.
This biostratigraphic result allowed correlation of thecalcareous sediments with the “Monte Sporno Formation” that crops out in the Northern Apennines (Italy) andin particular with the Armorano Member (APAT-Regione
Emilia Romagna, 1990, 2002). These results suggestthat prehistoric men from the Vicofertile site collectedcalcareous pebbles from the nearby Baganza River that
had been eroded out of and transported away from theMonte Sporno Formation and then used them for making
ceramics.
References
APAT- Regione Emilia Romagna. 1990. Foglio 217 Neviano degli Arduini della carta geologica d’Italia alla
scala 1:50.000, A. Cerrina Feroni, P. Elter, G.Plesi, A.
Rau, D. Rio, P. Vescovi & G. Zanzucchi (Eds). S.EL.
CA., Firenze.
APAT- Regione Emilia Romagna. 2002. Note illustrative
al Foglio 217 Neviano degli Arduini della Carta geologica d’Italia alla scala 1:50.000, A. Cerrina Feroni &P. Vescovi (Eds). S.EL.CA., Firenze.
Bernabò Brea, M., Cardarelli, A. & Cremaschi, M. (Eds).
1997. Le Terramare - La più antica civiltà padana.
Catalogo della Mostra (Modena 1997). Milano.
de Marinis, R. 1997. L’età del bronzo nella regione benacense e nella pianura padana a nord del Po; In: M.
Bernabo’ Brea, A. Cardarelli & M. Cremaschi (Eds).
Le Terramare. La più antica civiltà padana. Catalogodella Mostra (Modena 1997). Milano: 405-422.
Luciani V. 1987. La dorsale paleogenica del M. Baldo-M.
Bondone: suo significato paleogeografico e paleotettonico. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologie e Stratrigrafia,
93: 507-520.
Quinn, P.S. & Day, P.M. 2007. Ceramic micropalaeontology: the analysis of microfossils in ancient ceramics.
Journal of Micropaleontology, 26: 159-168.
Zampieri, D. & Zorzin, R. 1994. Carta geologica dei
Lessini centro-occidentali, tra la Valpantena e la Val
d’Illasi (Prealpi Venete). In: Geologia, idrogeologia e
qualità dei principali acquiferi veronesi (a cura di L.
SORBINI). Memorie del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona, serie II, Sezione B, Scienza della Terra,(4): 150pp.

INA1497

The effects of climate change on coccolithophore
productivity over the Eocene-Oligocene transition
Katy Prentice*

Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; k.prentice11@imperial.ac.uk

Tom Dunkley Jones

School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; t.dunkleyjones@bham.ac.uk

Jackie lees

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK; j.lees@ucl.ac.uk

Heather Stoll

Department de Geologia, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; hstoll@geol.uniovi.es

Clara bolton

Department de Geologia, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain; cbolton@geol.uniovi.es

The Eocene-Oligocene transition (E-OT)(~34 to 33.5 Ma)
is the most extreme period of climate change in the Cenozoic: from a “greenhouse” to an “ice house” world withpermanent ice forming at the Antarctic within ~400 ky.
The environmental changes are accompanied by extinctions among tropical oligotrophic microplankton and ashift from coccolithophore domination to mixed coccolithophore-diatom primary productivity. This shift may be
associated with changes in nutrient cycling and/or ocean
thermal structure due to changes in ocean circulation,such as the onset of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
This project aims to produce direct records of cocco-

lithophore growth rates in the equatorial Pacific (IODP
U1334) across the E-OT using coccolith Sr/Ca ratios.
Sr/Ca has been analyzed in individual coccoliths using
SIMS (secondary ion mass spectrometry) and on mixed
coccolith fractions using ICP-AES (inductively coupledplasma-atomic emission spectrometry). The mixed fractions were also analyzed for oxygen and carbon isotopes
using a DI-IRMS (dual-inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometer). The data reveal a significant shift in coccolithophore
growth rates over the E-OT that is linked with changes inboth ∂12C and ∂18O.

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The potential for using coccolithophores forgeochemical analysis
Katy Prentice*

Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; k.prentice11@imperial.ac.uk

Tom Dunkley Jones

School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK; t.dunkleyjones@bham.ac.uk

Sarah Fern

Department of Earth Science & Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK; s.fearn@imperial.ac.uk

Jeremy R. Young

Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, England; jeremy.young@ucl.ac.uk

Paul R. bown

Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, England; p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

Jackie a. lees

Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, England; j.lees@ucl.ac.uk

Gerald langer

Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EQ, UK; Gerald.Langer@awi.de

Due to their small size, coccoliths are often perceived
to preserve poorly compared with the much larger foraminifera, and coupled with this until recently, it has beendifficult to obtain species-specific geochemical data for
individual specimens of coccolith species. Historically,
this has proved a limiting factor in the use and interpretation of coccolithophore geochemical proxies.
Here, we demonstrate the preservation of primarycoccolithophore calcite, which is suitable for geochemical
analysis, in deep ocean sediments that lack planktic foraminifera. This supports the further use and interpretationof both coccolith trace elements and stable isotope data as
proxies for past environmental change. Using TOF-SIMS
and SIMS (time of flight-secondary ion mass spectrometry), it is possible to demonstrate that the Sr/Ca values
from fossil coccoliths are comparable to those collectedfrom their modern counterparts. It has also been possible
to examine the distribution of different ions within individual coccoliths, demonstrating the presence of primarybiogenic calcite and identifying that the effects of diagenesis can often be overcome.

INA1499

When did the Jurassic Sea date the western Indiancraton: revelations by nannofossils
Jyotsana Rai

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, Lucknow-226007, India; Jyotsana_rai@Yahoo.com

Jurassic rocks are present in the Kachchh Basin of India in
two belts: a NW-SE series of domes on the mainland andthe E-W trending series of uplifts “islands”) in the Raanof Kachchh known as the Island Belt. The Island Beltis separated into five hillocks: Patcham, Khadir, Bela,
Chorar, and Wagad. The domes and uplifts are boundedby faults, and some domes are faulted anticlines. The
Mesozoic rocks of Kuar Bet, an isolated uplift, are situated NW of Patcham Island and expose the oldest strata
in the Kachchh Basin. The timing of the earliest epeirictransgressive event in the Kachchh Basin was recorded
using calcareous nannofossils as other datable parameters
are absent.
The extension of the Ethiopian Gulf as an arm of
the Tethys Sea after the breakup of Gondwanaland left
imprints in western India during the Jurassic. The oldest
ages in the Kachchh Basin are provided by the ammonite Leptosphinctes sp., indicating a latest Bajocian age(~167.7 Ma) and by the coral Amphiastraea-Isastraeasp., indicating early? Bajocian (~171.6Ma). The diverseand moderately preserved calcareous nannofossil marker
species, represented by Biscutum finchii, Bussonius
prinsii, Crepidolithus pliensbachiansis, Crucirhabdus
primulus, Discorhabdus criotus, and D. striatus, from the
Dingi Hill Member of the Kaladongar Formation exposed
at Kuar Bet assign an age of from Zones NJ4a to NJ7 of
Bown et al. (1988) of lower Pliensbachian (Tethyan ammonite Jamesoni Zone) to middle Toarcian age (Variabilis
Zone). The presence of Lotharinguis sp. and Triscutumsullivanii within the assemblage suggests extension up to
the middle Aalenian (~177Ma). The coarse-grained sandy
facies with monospecific abundance of small bivalves atlimited levels was deposited as a storm event. This wasfollowed by the deposit feeding ichnofossils Rhizocorallium, Paleophycus, and Skolithos, and this post storm
activity suggests that there was rapid facies variation ina coastal marine environment that lacked ammonites.
The Early Jurassic sediments of Pliensbachian age were
probably laid down in the Kachchh Basin in response to ashort episode of epeiric transgression due to the cumulative effect of the breakup of Gondwanaland, eustatic sealevel rise, and local tectonics.
Several domes on the Kachchh mainland and the
Wagad highland have Early Jurassic calcareous nannofossils reworked into Middle-Late Jurassic sequences.
The Mesozoic lithostratigraphy of Kachchh provided
by Biswas (1977) is followed herein. The formations inascending order are the Jhurio (Bajocian-lower Callovian?), Jumara (Callovian-Oxfordian), Jhuran (Kimmeridgian-Valanginian), and Bhuj (Aptian-Albian). The
oldest part of the Jhurio Formation is exposed on Pachchham Island (Kuar Bet) and here is called the Kaladongar
Formation. In the Mainland domes, the Jumara Formation
is capped by condensed Dhosa Oolite beds containing
mixed Oxfordian ammonites from several zones, whereas
in Wagad, the Oxfordian-Kimmeridgian is exposed andcontains ammonites (in hard beds), calcareous nannofossils, and organic walled dinoflagellate cysts (in associated shales). The Callovian nanno assemblage fromthe Jumara Formation of the Jara Dome, situated on thewesternmost extremity of Kachchh Mainland, contains
reworked Early Jurassic Crepidolithus pliensbachiansis
and Triscutum sullivanii. The nanno assemblage from thelower part of the type Jumara Formation (Callovian age)of the Jumara Dome in the vicinity of Jara contains Early
Jurassic reworked specimens: Biscutum finchii, Diductius
constans, Mazaganella protensa, Mitrolithus elegans, andParhabdolithus liasicus. In contrast, the lower Jhuran
Formation of the Habo Dome, situated on the easternmost
extremity of Kachchh Mainland, contains reworked Early
Jurassic Triscutum sullivanii. In the Wagad Highland, theOxfordian age Patasar Shale member contains the Early
Jurassic reworked nannofossils: Crucirhabdus primulus,
Diductius constans, Mazaganella protensa, and Parhabdolithus liasicus.
These findings clearly demonstrate that an Early
Jurassic (Pliensbachian-Toarcian) shallow transgressive
event occurred as a consequence of eustatic sea-level
rise coupled with local tectonics that encroached on thewestern Indian craton and was possibly eroded during
a successive transgression in Bajocian time? Small
bivalves, dominated by one or two species and restricted
to a few horizons, later were accumulated and cemented
in a clay matrix, and finally were deposited in the Kuar
Bet area of Pachchham Island.
References
Biswas, S.K. 1977. The Mesozoic rock-stratigraphy of
Kutch. Quarterly Journal of Geological Mining andMetallurgical Society of India, 49:1-51.
Bown, P.R., Cooper, M.K.E. & Lord, A.R. 1988. A calcareous nannofossil biozonation scheme for the early
to mid Mesozoic. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 20(2):91-114.

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Coccolithophore CaCO3 fluxes in the Alfonso Basin
Heriberto Rochín bañaga

Departamento de Oceanología, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, C.P. 23096, La Paz, México;rochin_h11@hotmail.com

Mara Y. Cortés M.

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, C.P. 23080, La Paz, México; mycortes@uabcs.mx

Fernando aguirre bahena

Departamento de Oceanología, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, C.P. 23096, La Paz, México;
faguirrebahena@gmail.com

Norman Silverberg

Departamento de Oceanología, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, C.P. 23096, La Paz, México;
1942norman@gmail.com

Jörg bollmann

University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1; bollmann@geology.utoronto.ca

As part of a multidisciplinary research project, weanalyzed the coccolithophore assemblages (unicellular
autotrophic marine organisms) and associated carbonate
flux at CATS (Cuenca Alfonso Time-series Station, Bay
of La Paz, B.C.S., 24º39'N 110º36'W) from summer 2006
to winter 2008. The overall goal of the research project
was to determine the composition and vertical fluxesof various components of particulate matter, including
coccolithophores. Coccolithophores are an important partof the biogeochemical carbon cycle, and coccoliths are amajor component of marine sediment.
Sinking material was collected with a Technicap sediment trap (model PPS-3 with an opening of 0.125 m2, 6-15
day opening interval) that was installed at a water depth of
350 m. Individual samples were split into 1/4500, filteredon a nucleopore membrane of 0.8 micron, and 1500
images were taken using a scanning electron microscope(Zeiss Supra VP55). All analyses were done offline on acomputer.
In total, 46 species of coccolithophores were identified
in 41 samples. Emiliania huxleyi, Gephyrocapsa oceanica,
Florisphaera profunda var. elongata, and Umbellosphaera

irregularis were the most abundant taxa and constituted
about 90% of all assemblages. The total flux of coccoliths
varied considerably with time. However, there was a clear
seasonal pattern, and minimum fluxes (256.6x106 coccoliths m-2 d-1) occurred in spring to summer, and maximum
fluxes (12,800x106 coccoliths m-2 d-1) were in autumn towinter. The highest fluxes of coccoliths were associatedwith wind gusts greater than 4ms-1, low surface temperatures, a maximum flux of large fecal pellets, low nutrient
concentration, and a maximum flux of lithogenic material. In 2006, the highest flux (5,672x106 coccoliths m-2d-1) was dominated by G. oceanica, while in 2007, thehighest flux (12,800x106 coccoliths m-2 d-1) was dominated by E. huxleyi. Florisphaera profunda had its highest
flux (508x106 coccoliths m-2 d-1) during autumn to winter.
In contrast, U. irregularis had its highest flux (758x106
coccoliths m-2 d-1) during the spring to summer period.
The main contributor to the coccolithophore carbonate
flux is G. oceanica at 40%, followed by E. huxleyi at 14%.
This represents about 30% of the total CaCO3 flux. The
coccolith fluxes documented in this work are the highest
reported to date from the Gulf of California.

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101

Morphometric study of gephyrocapsids in surface
sediments from offshore western luzon andsemi-enclosed bays of the Philippines
Dianne Jules G. Rosario*
dianne_jules.rosario@upd.edu.phalyssa M. Peleo-alampay
ampanigs@yahoo.com

allan Gil S. Fernando
agsfernando@yahoo.com

National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

The presence of the genus Gephyrocapsa and its dominance in some areas of Philippine waters makes it ideal
for morphological studies. Species in this genus are differentiated using the measurements of their placolith lengthand bridge angle. The morphology of Gephyrocapsa in
Holocene sediments has been extensively studied over theyears, and there now exists a useful informal nomenclature. Bollmann (1997) categorized the morphologies ofgephyrocapsids in Holocene sediments into six categories: equatorial, oligotrophic, transitional, cold, larger,
and minute. These categories are based primarily on
variations in size (i.e., coccolith length) and bridge angle.
Each morphotype is interpreted to have distinct ecologicalpreferences. Preliminary results from measurements ofGephyrocapsa in surface sediments from offshore western
Luzon (eastern South China Sea) and semi-enclosed
bays in the Philippines (Lingayen Gulf, Subic Bay, Boac
Bay, and Calancan Bay) show the presence of equatorial
and larger Gephyrocapsa morphotypes. The equatorial
morphotype prevails in the majority of the water bodies
studied. The larger Gephyrocapsa morphotype manifests
itself primarily in warmer waters.
Reference
Bollmann, J. 1997. Morphology and biogeography ofGephyrocapsa coccoliths in Holocene sediments.
Marine Micropaleontology. 29: 319-350.

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The calcareous nannofossil record in the CenomanianTuronian boundary interval: implications for regional andglobal correlations
Fabio Russo*
fabio.russo@unimi.it

Elisabetta Erba
elisabetta.erba@unimi.it

Cinzia bottini

cinzia.bottini@unimi.it

Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra “A. Desio”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy

The Cenomanian-Turonian boundary (CTB) interval wasstudied in several sections in different settings for detailed
nannofossil biostratigraphy: France, Western Interior,
Morocco, Italy, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Section
selection was based on availability of stratigraphic data
(e.g., isotopic stratigraphy and planktonic foraminifera
biostratigraphy) or where these data are currently in progress.
Nannofossil biostratigraphic investigations were
performed on smear slides prepared from the same
samples used for planktonic foraminifera or isotopic
investigations. Smear slides were analyzed using standard light microscope techniques under cross polarizers

and transmitted light, at 1250X magnification, and semiquantitative analyses were conducted. Results highlightthe reproducibility of eight biostratigraphic events: last
occurrences of Corollithion kennedyi, Lithraphidites
acutus, Axopodorhabdus albianus, and Helenea chiastia;
first occurrences of Eprolithus octopetalus, Quadrum
intermedium, Eprolithus eptapetalus, and Quadrum gartneri. Some discrepancies were noticed in the sequence of
events in the various sections. Some additional events ofregional or global value are suggested to refine the accuracy of nannofossil events in the CTB interval. Particularattention was paid to taxonomic aspects of the Polycyclolithaceae.

INA14103

biogeographic distribution of living coccolithophores in
the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean
Mariem Saavedra-Pellitero

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; msaavedr@uni-bremen.de

Karl-Heinz baumann

Department of Geosciences, University of Bremen, 28334 Bremen, Germany; baumann@uni-bremen.deJosé-a. Flores

Department of Geology, University of Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain; flores@usal.es

Rainer Gersonde

Alfred Wegener Institute, Geosciences, 27568 Bremerhaven, Germany; Rainer.Gersonde@awi.de

The distribution of living coccolithophores in the upper
water column of the Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean(SO) is poorly known. We investigated plankton samples
collected during the RV Polarstern cruise ANT-XXVI/2
along a broad E-W transect in the SO during the australsummer. One hundred and fifty samples from twenty-ninestations were collected from the upper 150 m of the watercolumn. Coccoliths and coccospheres per sample werecounted separately using a scanning electron microscope(SEM).
Maximum numbers of 640·103 coccospheres/l werereached close to the Subtropical Front (STF), andincreases in the numbers of coccospheres and coccoliths
were recorded both at the Subantarctic Front (SAF) and
the Polar Front (PF). However, numbers decreased southward until there was almost a monospecific and sporadic
record of Emiliania huxleyi (types B/C and C) south of
the PF. Thirty-three coccolithophore species, including
sixteen species found as isolated coccoliths, were identified, and Emiliania huxleyi was clearly the most dominantcoccolithophore taxa in the studied samples. Two primarycoccolithophore assemblages were established thatcoincided with areas bounded by the Polar Front Zone
(PFZ) and the Subantarctic Zone (SAZ). In the upper

photic zone of the SAZ, Acanthoica quattrospina, Calcidiscus leptoporus, Coccolithus braarudii HOL, Emiliania huxleyi type A, Ophiaster spp., and Syracosphaeraspp., among others, were found. The PFZ was characterized by a reduced number of species, i.e., Calciopappus
caudatus and E. huxleyi types B, B/C, and C, as well as
Pappomonas spp. and Papposphaera spp. The sea-surface
temperature measured in situ was the most prominent
factor influencing coccolithophore diversity, distribution, and assemblage compositions in the Pacific sector of
the SO. Coccolithophore biogeography in the study area
showed marked differences from that in the northern highlatitudes, such as the absence of the cold water species
Coccolithus pelagicus, which is abundant in the (sub)Arctic region, and the dominance of E. huxleyi type B/C
and C in the SO, which contrasts with the dominance of E.
huxleyi types A and B in the North Atlantic. Findings suchas these fill in existing gaps in an unexplored area of theSO, as well as supporting previous research performed inneighboring areas. Living coccolithophore numbers andassemblage distribution in relation to the frontal dynamics
of the SO provide valuable information for potential
future paleoceanographic reconstructions.

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Climate, carbonate compensation depth, and calcareous
nannofossils: actions and feedback during the middle
EoceneCéline Salaviale*
celine.salaviale@gmail.com

Emanuela Mattioli

emanuela.mattioli@univ-lyon1.fr

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France

Pelagic carbonates constitute the majority of ocean sediments, particularly since the Jurassic, and they record
climatic and oceanic changes. Cenozoic sediments record
glacial and interglacial periods, as well as thermal maximums, such as the PETM (Paleocene-Eocene Thermal
Maximum) and the MECO (Middle Eocene Climatic
Optimum). The MECO, dated at about 40 Ma, occurred
during a period of climate transition in the middle Eocene.
This geological period shows variations in temperature
and atmospheric CO2, as well as in the carbonate compensation depth (CCD).
This study aims to highlight the actions and feedbacks
among climate (regulated by temperature, atmosphericCO2, etc.), CCD fluctuations, and calcareous nannofossils through the study of fluxes and assemblages between
48 and 39 Ma. Calcareous nannofossils were studied in
57 samples taken approximately every 50 cm from ODP(Ocean Drilling Project) Leg 198 Site 1209A on the
Shatsky Rise in the North Pacific. This site was previously
studied by Bralower et al. (2002) and Bralower (2005).
The samples have been prepared with the Geisen et al.
(1999) technique for absolute quantification of nannofossils.
The age model proposed by Bralower et al. (2002) has
been slightly modified based on new data for nannofossil
biostratigraphy and recalibrated according to the Geologic
Time Scale 2012 (Gradstein et al., 2012). Nannofossil
assemblages and sizes show long-term changes during
the middle Eocene. For example, Discoaster spp. show
a decrease in size and relative abundance from 48 to 39
Ma. At 40 Ma, during the MECO, proportions of Dictyococcites spp. and Reticulofenestra pseudoumbilicus (>14µm) increase.

Nannofossil fluxes show a significant increase during
the CAEs 1 to 4 (Carbonate Accumulation Event; Lyleet al., 2005), but they are low during the MECO. Fluxes
appear not to be related to atmospheric CO2 (pCO2) changes(see compilation in Pälike et al., 2012). Conversely, thenannofossil flux seems to have had an important impact
on the oceanic carbon cycle by creating a carbonate flux
into the deep ocean that was able to deepen the CCD.
References
Bralower, T.J. 2005. Paleocene-early Oligocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy, ODP Leg 198 Sites
1209, 1210, and 1211 (Shatsky Rise, Pacific Ocean).
In: T.J. Bralower, I. Premoli Silva, M.J. Malone et al.
(Eds). Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program,
Scientific Results, 198: 1-15.
Bralower, T.J., Premoli Silva, I., Malone, M.J. et al. 2002.
Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific
Results, 198: doi:10.2973/odp.proc.ir.198.105.2002.
Geisen, M., Bollmann, J., Herrle, J.O., Mutterlose, J. &Young, J.R. 1999. Calibration of the random settlingtechnique for calculation of absolute abundances ofcalcareous nannoplankton. Micropaleontology, 45:
437-442.
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M. & Ogg, G. 2012.
The Geologic Time Scale 2012, 2-Volume Set, Volume
2. Elsevier.
Lyle, M., Olivarez Lyle, A., Backman, J. & Tripati, A.
2005. Biogenic sedimentation in the Eocene equatorial Pacific - the stuttering greenhouse and Eocene carbonate compensation depth. In: P.A. Wilson, M. Lyle
& J.V. Firth (Eds). Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling
Program, Scientific Results, 199: 1-35.
Pälike, H. et al. 2012. A Cenozoic record of the equatorial
Pacific carbonate compensation depth. Nature, 488:
609-615. doi:10.1038/nature11360.

INA14105

Coccolith biostratigraphy across the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary of the Dababiya Quarry core, Egypt
Rehab Salem*

Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08554, USA; Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta
University, Tanta, Egypt, 31527; rehab.salem@rutgers.edu

Marie-Pierre aubry

Department of Earth & Planetary Science, Rutgers University, Piscataway, N J 08554, USA; aubry@rci.rutgers.edu

High-resolution coccolith studies on the Dababiya
Quarry core (DBQc), which was drilled in the Dababiya
Quarry (Egypt) near the GSSP for the Paleocene-Eocene
boundary, revealed an almost complete sedimentary
record across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (C-P) boundary.
Thirty samples (over ~70 m of section) were taken acrossthe boundary interval. These samples were analyzed inorder to identify the calcareous nannoplankton biozones
using the zonal schemes of Martini (1971) for the Paleogene and Sissingh (1977) and Perch-Nielsen (1979) for
the upper Maastrichtian. They yielded abundant anddiverse assemblages, although, due to variable preservation, we only could identify four lower Paleocene zones(NP1 to NP4) and three Maastrichtian subzones: Micula
murus, Nephrolithus frequens, and Micula prinsii. The
C-P boundary is located within the Dakhla Formation
and was delineated between the highest occurrence of M.
prinsii and the lowest occurrence of Biantholithus sparsus.

The thinness of the M. prinsii Subzone (~0.6 m) and theabsence of the acmes of Thoracosphaera operculata andBraarudosphaera bigelowii suggest a possible minor gap
at the C-P boundary in the core. This is in agreement withplanktonic foraminiferal stratigraphy.
References
Martini, E. 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation. Planktonic Conference, 2d, Rome 1969, Proceedings: 739-785.
Perch-Nielsen, K. 1979. Calcareous nannofossil zonation
at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary in Denmark. Proceedings Cretaceous-T ertiary Boundary Event Symposium, Copenhagen, 1: 115-135.
Sissingh, W. 1977. Biostratigraphy of Cretaceous calcareous nannoplankton. Geologie en Mijnbouw, 56(l):37-65.

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The Probable Datum Method (PDM): a statisticaltechnique for determining the true age of nannoplankton
origination or extinction
Jon Schuethjschueth@psu.edu

Klaus Keller
kzk10@psu.edu

Timothy bralower
tjb26@psu.edu

Mark Patzkowsky
mep12@psu.edu

Department of Geosciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA

The accurate interpretation of origination and extinction in the fossil record is crucial in paleontology. Fossil
datums, the observed age of first or last occurrences, aresubject to bias and error as a result of preservation andlow abundances. Several techniques have been developed to assess the effects of these biases on macrofossil
datums. However, due to the discrete sampling mostcommonly used in microfossil data, these methods cannot
be applied to nannofossils. Here we develop a new technique, the Probable Datum Method (PDM) that can beused with nannoplankton and other microfossils. The
PDM determines the original abundance of a taxon andthe probable true age of its first or last occurrence. It
uses a model in which original abundance is related tocount abundance through preservation and the counting
process. This model is parameterized, simulated, and theninverted to determine likely original abundance and true
datum age from count abundance data. The true age of afirst or last occurrence can be correlated globally to determine if originations or extinctions were truly synchronous or diachronous. The results of the PDM can be used
to make inferences about the true nature of originationand extinction. For example, if after using the PDM, an
extinction event is clearly diachronous, there is gained
confidence that this global extinction trend was true anddid not relate simply to differences in preservation. The
method was applied to the origination of nannoplankton
after the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary to determine
whether observed diachrony was real or merely a result ofvariable fossil preservation. The statistical nature of the
PDM, its experimentally derived parameters, and its lackof many assumptions make it easily applicable to otherfossil groups. In particular, the new technique can be used
in a wide array of paleontological problems to increase
the confidence in interpretations made from global correlations of fossil datums.

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How to slow dissolution of calcareous nannofossils:
a comparison of three preservation techniques
Ellen l. Seefelt
eseefelt@usgs.gov

Jean M. Self-Trail
jstrail@usgs.gov

arthur P. Schultz
aschultz@usgs.gov

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA 20192, USA

It has been documented that rapid post-sampling dissolution of calcareous nannofossils has occurred in organicand/or pyrite-rich Atlantic Coastal Plain sediments(Self-Trail & Seefelt, 2005), while only minor amountsof dissolution have been recorded from carbonate-richdeep-sea sediments (Dunkley Jones & Bown, 2007). In
an attempt to halt or slow down dissolution of calcareous
nannofossils in organic- and/or pyrite-rich sediments,
three different methods of short-term storage were tested.
Three cores were chosen because of their diverse sediment types: siliciclastic marine clays and silts from theCambridge-Dorchester core, glauconitic, pyritic, andsiliciclastic sediments from the Dixon core, and carbonaterich packstones and wackestones from the Pineora core.
All three cores were systematically sampled on the daythat coring occurred, and an on-site control smear slide
was immediately prepared (a). Each sample was then split
in two, and one split was used to prepare control slides at
one-month (b1) and six-month (c1) intervals. The second
split was used to test storage preservation methods. Eachcontrol sample was stored in a separate sample bag. Eachtest split was placed in either a vacuum-packed bag, a vial
filled with argon gas, or a vial filled with buffered waterin order to neutralize pH. They were sampled at onemonth (b2) and six-month (c2) intervals for comparison
with the control slides (b1 and c1). All slides were examined using a Zeiss Axioplan 2 light microscope at 1250x
magnification. Abundance counts of total calcareous

nannofossils per 150 fields of view (FOV) were tallied
for each slide. The decrease in calcareous nannofossil
percent abundance was calculated over six months, andthe control slides were directly compared to the storage
preservation test slides. Counts showed that none of thethree test methods was consistently effective in reducing
loss due to dissolution. In most cases, the control onsite
slides (a) had better retention of calcareous nannofossils. Although there were a few positive results from thevacuum packed, argon gas, and buffered water samples,the overall decrease of nannofossil abundances suggeststhat the new preservation techniques did not work. Eventhe carbonate-rich sediments of the Pineora core experienced significant loss of calcareous nannofossils, possibly
due to the presence of disseminated, micron-sized pyrite
in bryozoan pore spaces.
References
Dunkley Jones, T. & Bown, P.R. 2007. Post-sampling dissolution and the consistency of nannofossil diversity
measures: a case study from freshly cored sedimentsof coastal Tanzania. Marine Micropaleontology, 62:
254-268.
Self-Trail, J.M. & Seefelt, E.L. 2005. Rapid dissolutionof calcareous nannofossils: a case study from freshly
cored sediments of the south-eastern Atlantic Coastal
Plain. Journal of Nannoplankton Research, 27(2):149-157.

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an improved sample preparation technique for calcareous
nannofossils in organic-rich mudstones
Jamie l. Shamrock

jamie.l.shamrock@exxonmobil.com

Eric Muñoz

eric.j.munoz@exxonmobil.com

John H. Carter

john.h.carter@exxonmobil.com

ExxonMobil Exploration Co., Houston, TX 77060, USA

For many decades, calcareous nannofossils have beenroutinely applied as a biostratigraphic tool in the oil
industry. The traditional double-slurry method for nannofossil slide preparation has been favored because it is relatively fast, simple, and uses few chemicals. A relatively
recent increase in unconventional resource plays within
the oil industry has resulted in a significant number ofnannofossil biostratigraphy projects derived from assets
such as shale gas. While the double-slurry method has
been satisfactory for nannofossil samples in most lithologies, this preparation has proved insufficient for someorganic-rich mudstones. Shale-gas source rocks areoften rich in clays, silts, opaque minerals, and significant
organic components. In addition, amorphous organic
material within the sediment can bond the grains together,trapping the nannofossil specimens and impeding identification. We propose a modified method of sample
preparation for calcareous nannofossils that minimizes
these issues, while increasing the number of identifiable
specimens.
This relatively simple method is modeled after foraminiferal cleaning techniques for paleothermometry, which

focus on minimizing the adulteration of fossil specimens.
The proposed technique for calcareous nannofossils uses
sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) to lighten the organic
matter and to aid in the dissociation of organic matterand clays from nannofossil specimens. Several iterations of the method have been tested, with variations inpH, duration and number of washing cycles, and use of
an ultrasonic bath for further disaggregation of clays. A
preliminary semi-quantitative analysis shows significant
reduction in organic matter and increases in relative abundance and diversity of nannofossil assemblages. In addition, there is no visible damage to specimens in the lightmicroscope at 1000x magnification. The technique has
been applied to samples from the Upper Cretaceous Eagleford and La Luna Formations and the Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous Haynesville Formation. All intervals
show significant improvement with the proposed cleaning
technique. Overall, the method is relatively quick, and theminor increase in cost associated with sample preparation is well-balanced by the improvement in data quality
and the potential for higher resolution biostratigraphy inunconventional resource plays.

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109

Nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoecology of
the Danish lower Cretaceous reservoir chalks(Tuxen and Sola Formations)
Emma Sheldon

Stratigraphy Department, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark; es@geus.dk

Jon Ineson

Stratigraphy Department, Geological Survey of Denmark & Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark; ji@geus.dk

Frans van buchem

Exploration Department, Mærsk Oil, Copenhagen, Denmark; Frans.VanBuchem@maerskoil.com

David Jutson

Silver Hedgehog SARL, Lalbenque, France; silver.hedgehog@hotmail.co.uk

Chalk accumulation in northern Europe began in theHauterivian in the center of the North Sea Basin andformed (1) the chalks of the Tuxen Formation (Hauterivian-Barremian), including the organic-rich Munk MarlBed, and (2) the marls and subordinate chalks of the
Sola Formation (Barremian-early Albian), including theorganic-rich marlstones of the lower Aptian Fischscheifer
Member (OAE 1a of Ineson, 1993). In the Danish sectorof the North Sea, recent exploration and production developments have resulted in renewed interest in these earlychalks, and future exploration and appraisal of existinghydrocarbon fields will rely on the ability to refine
existing local and regional Early Cretaceous depositional
and paleoceanographic models.
Calcareous nannofossils are a valuable proxy forrecording paleoecological changes during chalk and marldeposition, and they can shed light on temperature andsalinity variations and nutrient flux during the Hauterivian-Aptian in the restricted North Sea Basin. A nannofossil
study of the Lower Cretaceous (BC6 – BC17 of Bown etal., 1998) carbonate package of the North Jens-1, Adda-2,
and SE Adda-1 wells (distal to proximal), reveals fluctuations in important paleoecological indicator species,
which contribute to the understanding of the depositional
environment of the boreal chalks and marls.
Micrantholithus spp. are inferred to tolerate lowsalinity levels and thereby proximity to the coast. Highabundances of M. obtusus, M.brevis, and M. hoschulzii
in the Hauterivian are therefore suggestive of increased
freshwater input. Coincident with increases in Micrantholithus, high levels of Biscutum constans, Biscutum
constans cavum, Discorhabdus ignotus, and Zeugrhabdotus spp. (inferring elevated nutrient influx) further

support increased continental runoff. High relative abundance of Rhagodiscus asper and the presence of the
Tethyan taxon Micrantholithus stellatus indicate that there
was an incursion of warm water in the late Barremian,(Jeremiah, 2001). Nannoconus spp., which are thought tohave favored clear-water oligotrophic conditions, becamea significant part of assemblages in the upper Hauterivian
and constituted up to 83% of the assemblage during partof the Barremian. The endemic species N. borealis, N.
abundans, and N. inornatus are of stratigraphic significance and also support the idea that the North Sea Basinwas restricted during the Barremian. A decline in the
proportion of nannoconids corresponded to increasing
clay content in the lowermost Sola Formation (Barremian-Aptian boundary level), and the ‘nannoconid crisis’
was recorded immediately prior to the onset of depositionof the Fischschiefer Member, coincident with increasing
evidence of direct Tethyan links.
References
Bown, P.R., Rutledge, D.C., Crux, J.A. & Gallagher, L.T.
1998. Lower Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown (Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropalaeontological Society Series. Chapman and Hall/Kluwer
Academic Press, London: 86-131.
Ineson, J. R. 1993. The Lower Cretaceous chalk playin the Danish Central Trough. In: J.R. Parker, (Ed).
Petroleum Geology of Northwest Europe. Proceedingsof the 4th Conference, London. The Geological Society of London: 175-183.
Jeremiah, J. 2001. A Lower Cretaceous nannofossil zonation for the North Sea Basin. Journal of Micropalaeontology, 20: 45-80.

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Stratigraphy of the late Campanian-Maastrichtian boreal
chalk based on foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils,and carbon stable isotopes: new results from the Femernbælt, Denmark and Germany
Emma Sheldon

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark; es@geus.dk

Caterina Morigi

The Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, Denmark; cmor@geus.dk

Myriam boussaha

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; myriam.boussaha@geo.ku.dk

Sarah Møller

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; dorthea.sarah@gmail.com

Jan audun Rasmussen

Geological Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; JanR@snm.ku.dk

lars Stemmerik

Geological Museum, Natural History Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; Lars.Stemmerik@snm.ku.dk

Nicolas Thibault

Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark; nt@geo.ku.dk

A biostratigraphic and isotopic study was carried out onlate Campanian-Maastrichtian chalks that were penetrated
during geological investigations in preparation for theconstruction of a tunnel between Denmark and Germany
under the Femern Bælt. Chalk from the 09.A.006 and
09.A.008 wells was analyzed for nannofossil and foraminifera content and for oxygen and carbon stable isotopes.
The two wells contain sediments from the late Campanian nannofossil subzone UC15dBP to the latest Maastrichtian subzone UC20dBP (using the zonation of Burnett,
1998). The study enabled further testing of the rigidity of
the UC zonation scheme and its marker species for the
Boreal Province, following recent biostratigraphic investigations on Danish chalk boreholes. The first occurrenceof Arkhangelskiella maastrichtiana as a marker for thebase of UC20c is considered unreliable, as is the subdivision of UC16 using the last occurrences of Heteromarginatus bugensis, Tortolithus caistorensis, and Monomarginatus quaternarius. In addition, the use of recently
proposed ‘new’ markers, such as Zeugrhabdotus praesigmoides (syn. Zeugrhabdotus meudinii and Tranolithus
stemmerikii of some authors), Prediscosphaera mgayae,and Helicolithus trabeculatus, is also tested.
For foraminifera, the FCS zonation, relevant for the
chalk facies of the North Sea (King et al., 1989) wasapplied with some success to the 09.A.008 well, whichspanned subzones FCS21b–FCS23a. Useful markers
included the occurrence of Gavelinella monterelensis in
the late Campanian, the last occurrence of Angulogavelinella bettenstaedti in the early Maastrichtian, and theoccurrence of Bolivinoides draco and Reussella szajnochae in the late Maastrichtian. However, in some intervals the foraminiferal assemblages were more comparable with those recently described from southeast Poland(Dubicka & Peryt, 2012), in particular regarding Rugoglobigerina spp. and Globigerinelloides spp. fluctuations.
The present study outlines the need for local adaptationsof existing zonations.
As for other sites in Denmark and northern Germany,
the large negative δC13 isotope excursion at the Campanian-Maastrichtian boundary was seen in both cores.
Despite the isotopic study being of lower resolution thanfor previous Danish cores, some of the short-lived excursions defined by Thibault et al. (2012) were identified,allowing for correlation of the Femern Bælt sites to theastronomically calibrated Indian Ocean site 762C. Subsequently, an age model is proposed for the Femern Bæltcores.
This study allows, for the first time, correlation of
boreal late Campanian-Maastrichtian foraminifer zones
with the calcareous nannofossil zonation and C isotope
stratigraphy. Integration of these data with recent resultsfrom several Danish Basin boreholes allows for the
proposal of a multidisciplinary stratigraphic scheme forthe Late Cretaceous of the boreal realm.
References
Burnett, J. 1998. Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown (Ed).
Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. Chapman
and Hall/Kluwer Academic Publishers, London: 132199.
Dubicka, Z. & Peryt, D. 2012. Latest Campanian and
Maastrichtian palaeoenvironmental changes: implications from an epicontinental sea (SE Poland and western Ukraine). Cretaceous Research, 37: 272-284.
King, C., Bailey, H.W., Burton, C.A. & King, A.D. 1989.
Cretaceous of the North Sea. In: D.G. Jenkins & J.W.
Murray (Eds). Stratigraphic Atlas of Fossil Foraminifera. Ellis Horwood, Chichester: 372-417.
Thibault, N., Harlou, R., Schovsbo, N., Schiøler, P., Minoletti, F., Galbrun, B., Lauridsen, B.W., Sheldon, E.,
Stemmerik, L. & Surlyk, F. 2012. Upper CampanianMaastrichtian nannofossil biostratigraphy and highresolution carbon-isotope stratigraphy of the Danish
Basin: towards a standard δ13C curve for the Boreal
Realm. Cretaceous Research, 33: 72-90.

INA14111

Coccolithophore assemblage composition and celldensities at alfonso basin, Gulf of California
Karla Sidón Ceseña*

Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada, Departamento de Oceanografía biológica, 22860, Ensenada, B.C.
México; Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Departamento de Geología Marina, 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México;
ksidon@cicese.edu.mx

Mara Y. Cortés M.

Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, Departamento de Geología Marina, 23080, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México;
mycortes@uabcs.mx

Fernando aguirre-bahenaCentro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Oceanología, 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México; faguirre@ipn.mx

Norman Silverberg

Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas, Departamento de Oceanología, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México; 1942norman@gmail.com

Jörg bollmann

University of Toronto, Department of Earth Sciences, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 3B1; bollmann@geology.utoronto.ca

Since 2002, a multidisciplinary research project has been
carried out in the Alfonso Basin, Bahia de La Paz, in orderto understand better the coastal ecosystem of the Gulf ofCalifornia. The Alfonso Basin is of particular interest
because long-term environmental changes are preservedin the underlying laminated sediments. In this study, we
present the vertical distribution of coccolithophores in thewater column from February 2007 to January 2008. Dataon the coccolith fluxes for the same period are presented
elsewhere.
Monthly seawater samples were collected at depths
from 0 to 60 m, and in situ conductivity, temperature, anddepth (CTD) data were collected. Coccolithophore celldensities and species composition where determined fromthe filtered samples at Universidad Autónoma de Baja
California Sur (UABCS) using a Hitachi S-2300 scanningelectron microscope.
A total of 61 coccolithophore species were identified:
49 heterococcoliths, 21 holococcoliths, and 4 incertae
sedis species. The most abundant species (> 50%) were
Emiliania huxleyi, Calciopappus rigidus, Gephyrocapsa
oceanica, G. ericsonii, E. huxleyi type B/C, Florisphaera
profunda, Pappomonas sp. type 3, and Solisphaera blagnacensis. Fourteen species of the Syracosphaera genus
were identified, and although always present they were
never abundant. The species richness (SR) varies seasonally with high values in late winter to early spring (SR=17, April, 10 m) and late summer to early fall (SR=19,
September, 45 m). The Shannon diversity index showed
high values (H’>2) in late winter to early spring (H’max=
2.6, April, 10 m) and in late summer and early fall

(H’max=3.5, September, 75 m). Coccolithophores werecommonly observed down to a depth of 75 m, withdifferent assemblage composition above and below 30 m.
Cell densities also varied seasonally with a maximumin early spring (128 x103 cel l-1, March, 0 m) and in early
winter (41.7 x103 cel l-1, December, 0 m). Emiliania
huxleyi was the species with the highest cell density in
March (51.46 x103 cel l-1, 0 m). Calciopappus rigidus
was observed mainly in the upper photic zone (0-30 m)with a maximum in March (41.3 x103 cel l-1, 0 m). Gephyrocapsa oceanica was present throughout the year withthe highest values in November (19.3 x103 cel l-1, 15 m).
Emiliania huxleyi type B/C was present only in May withcell density values of up to 15.3 x103 cel l-1 (0 m). Gephyrocapsa ericsonii was present all year in low cell densities
and showed a maximum cell density in March (12.6 x103
cel l-1, 0 m). Florisphaera profunda was common between
30-75 m with a maximum cell density in October (5 x103
cel-1, 60 m).
The dominance of E. huxleyi and G. oceanica is related
to mixing conditions during winter. Emiliania huxleyi,
holococcoliths, F. profunda, and Rhabdosphaera spp.
were present during a period of water stratification in late
winter to early spring. Emiliania huxleyi, holococcoliths,
Syracosphaera spp., and Papposphaera spp. were present
during an upwelling event in summer. Gephyrocapsa
oceanica, Syracosphaera spp., holococcoliths, A. Quattrospina, F. profunda, and Solisphaera blagnacensis werecharacteristic of the late summer to early fall stratification
period.

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a Cretaceous (late albian-early Maastrichtian) cocktail ofcold and warm water nannoflora from Jaisalmer, western
India and its paleobiogeographic implications
abha Singhabha.maurya@gmail.com

Jyotsana Rai

Jyotsana_rai@yahoo.com

Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany, 53-University Road, Lucknow-226007, India

The Cretaceous is known for its extensive global marinetransgressions, including the western part of the Indian
subcontinent. We report here on highly diversified (over200 species) and well-preserved calcareous nannofossil assemblages from outcrops and the subsurface(Tanot bore well #1) of late Albian-early Maastrichtian
sequences in the Jaisalmer Basin, western India. The
presence of Nannoconus species and Rhagodiscus aspersuggests warm conditions and moderate productivity.
However, Watznaueria barnesae dominates the assemblage throughout the late Albian-early Maastrichtian.
The abundance of nannoconids and braarudosphaerids
throughout the succession indicates shallow, neritic
conditions that were prone to dissolution. Nannoconus
truitii with its several subspecies is typical of a Tethyan
environment, and its distribution is said to be controlled
by the paleogeographic setting and warm tropical climateof the Indian subcontinent during the Cretaceous.
Provincialism was prevalent in Early Cretaceous
calcareous nannoplankton assemblages, and this forms
the basis for delineating the Boreal and Tethyan realms.
Mutterlose & Kessels (2000) recognized a bipolar, highlatitude assemblage, a mid- to low-latitude, cool-water
assemblage, and a low-latitude warm-water assemblage. Distinguishing among these realms became moredifficult during Aptian-Albian time, as evidenced in thepresent material. The Late Cretaceous witnessed a time of
nannofloral change. Seribiscutum primitivium, a bipolar
high-latitude form restricted to 40º to 50º N and 35º to
60º S (Mutterlose, 1992), has been documented from
Albian-Campanian sediments in Tanot #1. This species
is recorded from a 15° to 35°S paleogeographic position in India during the late Albian (Kale & Phansalkar,1992) to early Maastrichtian with other cold-water forms(Angulofenestrellithus snyderi, Broinsonia matalosa,
Bukrylithus ambiguous, Eiffellithus monechiae, Eiffellithus pospichalii, Nephrolithus corystus, Nephrolithus
frequens, Octolithus multiplus, Radiolithus hollandicus,
Retecapsa ficula, Stoverius achylosus, and Tortolithus
hallii.). Along with these cold-water forms, there weresignificant numbers of some typical warm-water forms(Ceratolithoides pricei, Ceratolithoides ultimus, Micula
murus, Micula praemurus, Nannoconus truitii frequens,
and Prolatipatella multicarinata), which indicates that
there was mixing of warm and cold water currents fromthe western part of India during the Late Albian (Rai etal., 2013) onwards, which is more pronounced during theCampanian to early Maastrichtian. Therefore, the possibility of an African-Australian/Australian-Antarctic sea
route cannot be ruled out.
References
Kale, A.S. & Phansalkar, V.G. 1992. Nannofossil biostratigraphy of the Utatur Group, Trichinopoly District,
South India. Memorie di Scienze Geologiches, XLIII:
89-107.
Mutterlose, J. 1992. Biostratigraphy and palaeobiogeography of Early Cretaceous calcareous nannofossils.
Cretaceous Research, 13: 167-189.
Mutterlose, J. & Kessels, K. 2000. Early Cretaceous calcareous nannofossils from high latitudes: implications
for palaeobiogeography and palaeoclimate. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 160:
347-372.
Rai, J., Singh, A. & Garg, R. 2013. Calcareous nannofossils of Albian age from Tanot Well 1, Jaisalmer Basin,
Rajasthan and its palaeobeogeographic significance.
Journal of the Palaeontological Society of India,
58(1): 67-73.

INA14113

Integrated high-resolution nannofossil biostratigraphy
and cyclo-magnetostratigraphy of the upper
Maastrichtian: correlation between the bjala(bulgaria) and Sopelana (Spain) sections
Kristalina Stoykova

Geology Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; stoykova@geology.bas.bg

Jaume Dinarès-Turell

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, I-00143 Rome, Italy; jaume.dinares@ingv.it

victoriano Pujalte

University of the Basque Country, Department of Stratigraphy & Palaeontology, UPV/EHU, E-48080, Bilbao, Spain;
victoriano.pujalte@ehu.es

Javier Elorza

University of the Basque Country, Department of Stratigraphy & Palaeontology, UPV/EHU, E-48080, Bilbao, Spain; josejavier.elorza@ehu.es

An integrated high-resolution nannofossil biostratigraphy and cyclo-magnetostratigraphy was developed forthe upper Maastrichtian interval of two distant sections:
Bjala (Bulgaria, Black Sea coast) and Sopelana (BasqueCountry, Atlantic coast). Both sections display similar
rhythmic sedimentary successions due to astronomical
climate forcing (Milankovitch cyclicity). The calcareous nannofossil biozonation for the upper Maastrichtian
interval is primarily based on the low-latitude UC "TP"scheme of Burnett (1998).
The calcareous nannofossils are abundant throughout
the studied sections. They are represented by highly
diverse associations (> 144 species were identified),showing good to very good preservation. In order todistinguish the main bio-events, a semi-quantitative
analysis was performed. The cyclo-magnetostratigraphic
framework has been extended from the K-Pg boundary,uppermost Maastrichtian C29r, down to the lower/upper
Maastrichtian boundary, C31n-C31r. It encompasses a
total of ~60 m in the Sopelana and ~45 m in the Bjala
sections and provides accurate ages for the bio-events.
The succession of nannofossil datums is similar to, or
comparable with, other records from low-latitude sites,e.g., Zumaia, Contessa highway and Bottaccione sections(Gardin et al., 2012; Pérez-Rodrígez et al., 2012; DinarèsTurell et al., 2013). The main documented nannofossil
bio-horizons include: (1) FO of Lithraphidites quadratus,(2) FO of Micula murus, and (3) FO of Micula prinsii.
The FO of Lithraphidites quadratus, an important lowlatitude bio-horizon, is recorded well down in the section,
close to the C31r/C31n magnetic reversal. Its position in
Sopelana can be correlated to the previously reported bioevent in the Umbria-Marche sections (Gardin et al., 2012)
and in Zumaia (Pérez-Rodrígez et al., 2012). The species
is reported to have wide geographic distribution in lowlatitude sections and thus can be used as a reliable correlation bio-horizon there.
The FO of Micula murus is documented at Bjala andSopelana just a few meters below the FO of M. prinsii. It
is found within the upper part of chron C30n. The acme of
M. murus is observed stratigraphically up section, within
the prinsii Zone. Our observations are in line with those of

Gardin et al. (2012) that the base of M. murus acme can beused as a proxy for UC20dTP subzone.
The occurrence of Ceratolithoides kamptneri is notrecorded in either of the studied sections, making it
impossible to distinguish the UC 20cTP subzone. The FO
of Micula prinsii is a sound bio-horizon in the studiedsections. It is recorded relatively low in the succession,
within C30n. It is a primary biostratigraphic marker
for the uppermost part of the Maastrichtian, identifying
subzone UC 20dTP in low-latitude sites. Here, it is usuallyreported near the base of C29r. However, some studies
have recorded it at the upper part of chron C30n (SelfTrail, 2001), which is in agreement with the data from
Bjala and Sopelana.
References
Burnett, J.A. 1998. Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown
(Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British Micropaleontological Society Publication Series.
Chapman and Hall/Kluwer Academic Publishers, London: 132–199.
Dinarès-Turell, J., Pujalte, V., Stoykova, K. & Elorza,
J. 2013. Detailed correlation and astronomical forcing within the upper Maastrichtian succession in theBasque Basin. Boletin Geológico y Minero, 124(2):253-282.
Gardin, S., Galbrun, B., Thibault, N., Coccioni, R. &Premoli-Silva, I. 2012. Biomagnetochronology forthe upper Campanian-Maastrichtian from the Gubbio
area, Italy: new results from the Contessa Highway
and Botaccione sections. Newsletters on Stratigraphy,
45(1): 75-103.
Pérez-Rodrígez, I., Lees, J., Larrasoana, J., Arz, J. & Arenillas, I. 2012. Planktonic foraminiferal and calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy of the uppermost Campanian and Maastrichtianin Zumaia, northern Spain. Cretaceous Research, 37:
100-126.
Self-Trail, J.M. 2001. Biostratigraphic subdivision andcorrelation of upper Maastrichtian sediments from
Atlantic Coastal Plain and Black Nose, western Atlantic. Geological Society of London Special Publication,
183: 93-110.

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Calibration of calcareous nannofossils and ammonites
bio-events across the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary:a case study from bulgaria
Kristalina Stoykova

Geology Institute Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria; stoykova@geology.bas.bg

Marin Ivanov

Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridsky", 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria; mivanov@gea.uni-sofia.bg

vyara Idakieva

Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridsky", 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria, mivanov@gea.uni-sofia.bg, idakieva@gea.uni-sofia.bg

In the last few years, there has been renewed interest in
the definition of the Jurassic-Cretaceous (J-K) boundary.
Progress is mainly related to the activity of the international stratigraphy community, collaborating within
the framework of the Berriasian Working Group of theInternational Subcommission on Cretaceous Stratigraphy(ISCS) (Casellato, 2010; Channell et al., 2010; Wimbledon
et al., 2011). Because the original definition of the Berriasian is based exclusively on ammonites, integration of
calcareous nannofossil and ammonite data (at least in the
Tethyan area) is of crucial importance when considering a
new workable definition for the J-K boundary.
We present a comprehensive integrated biostratigraphic study of calcareous nannofossils and ammonites
across the J-K boundary interval in three sections from
West Bulgaria (Kopanitsa, Berende, and Burlya). Ivanov
et al. (2010) were the first to recognize the Durangites spp.
Zone in Bulgaria and correlate nannofossil and ammonite
markers in the Tithonian-Berriasian interval. The sedimentary successions in this region consist of siliciclastic
turbidites (Kopanitsa and Berende) and hemipelagic limestones (Burlya). A total of 293 nannofossil samples fromthe upper Tithonian-Berriasian interval were processed
and fixed on smear-slides. The sampling resolution varied
between 1 to 2 m. Preservation of the calcareous nannofossils throughout the boundary interval was generally
good to moderate. There were several ammonite-bearing
levels, and more than 300 ammonite specimens are found,>120 of them could be identified and used for the present
work.
In the J-K boundary interval, all previously known
calcareous nannofossil zones and subzones were clearlyrecognized (Bralower et al., 1989; Casellato, 2010). The
Tethyan ammonite zonation for the upper Tithonian andlower Berriasian was applied, consisting of the microcanthum, Durangites spp., jacobi, and occitanica ammonite
Zones and their subzones. Correlation of nannofossil
events to the ammonite zones was consistent among
the sections studied, and four distinct biohorizons wererecognized:
1) The first successive occurrences of Nannoconus
infans, N. compressus, N. puer, and N. globulus minor, inthe lower part of Durangites Zone, co-occur with Duran-gites singularis, D. vulgaris, D. astillerensis, and Protacanthodiscus andreaei.
2) The first occurrence (FO) of Nannoconus wintereri
and the beginning of the local acme of Polycostellasenaria are remarkably synchronous events with the FO
of Berriasella jacobi, which marks the J-K boundary inan ammonite sense.
3) The FO of Nannoconus steinmanni minor and N.
kamptneri minor are clearly Berriasian events (in terms ofammonites) and occur in the middle of the jacobi ammonite Zone.
4) The FO of the large nannoconids species N. steinmanni steinmanni and N. kamptneri kamptneri wasrecorded in the former “grandis” ammonite Zone, i.e.,
close to the boundary between the jacobi and occitanica
ammonite Zones.
References
Bralower, T.J., Monechi, S. & Thierstein, H.R. 1989.
Calcareous nannofossil zonation of the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval and correlations with the
Geomagnetic Polarity Timescale. Marine Micropaleontology, 14: 153-235.
Casellato, C.E. 2010. Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of Upper Callovian-Lower Berriasian successions
from Southern Alps, North Italy. Rivista Italiana diPaleontologia e Stratigrafia, 116: 357-404.
Channell, J.E.T., Casellato, C.E., Muttoni, G. & Erba, E.
2010. Magnetostratigraphy, nannofossil stratigraphy
and apparent polar wander for Adria-Africa in theJurassic-Cretaceous boundary interval. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 293: 51-75.
Ivanov, M., Stoykova, K. & Idakieva, V. 2010. New biostratigraphic data on the Upper Tithonian and Lower
Berriasian in the Krayshte area (SW Bulgaria). Annals
University of Sofia, Faculty of Geology and Geography, 102(1): 21-41.
Wimbledon, W.A.P., Casellato, C.E., Reháková, D., Bulot,
L.G., Erba, E., Gardin, S., Verreussel, R.M.C.H., Munsterman, D.K. & Hunt, C. 2011. Fixing a basal Berriasian and Jurassic-Cretaceous (J-K) boundary – perhaps
there is some light at the end of the tunnel? Rivista
Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia, 117: 295-307.

INA14115

Nanometric X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping of
Middle Jurassic coccoliths (~170Ma)
baptiste Suchéras-Marx

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; baptiste.sucheras@gmail.com

Fabienne Giraud

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; Fabienne.Giraud-Guillot@ujf-grenoble.fr

Isabelle Daniel

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; isabelle.daniel@univ-lyon1.fr

alexandre Simionovici

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; alexandre.simionovici@ujf-grenoble.fr

Rémi Tucoulou

ESRF, Polygone Scientifique Louis Néel, 38000 Grenoble, France; tucoulou@esrf.fr

Coccolithophore algae produce micrometric calcite platelets called coccoliths. The geological record for coccoliths is continuous from their appearance 220 Ma ago
until today, and they have been abundant in the marine
environment during this time interval. Hence, coccoliths
have a huge potential for geochemical reconstructionof the Earth’s paleoclimate and paleoceanography. We
performed a nanometric X-ray fluorescence analysis ofthree species of early Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) coccoliths using the beamline ID22NI at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France.
Based on this analysis, we have a better understandingof the chemical composition of coccoliths and thus of
the marine waters where they were precipitated. Samples
were collected at Cabo Mondego, Portugal, the international reference section (GSSP) for the early Bajocian
interval, and they were selected based on their preservation. Coccoliths were separated from the matrix using apicking technique and deposited on 500 nm-thick silicon
nitride membranes. With an excitation beam at 17 KeV

and a resolution of 100 µm, we mapped 14 elements inthe coccoliths: S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn,
Br, Rb, and Sr. The mapping allowed the recognitionof elements that were biologically incorporated in the
coccoliths and those that are due to a diagenetic overprint. Calcium, strontium, and manganese are biologicallyorganized in coccoliths. Sulfur, chlorine, chromium, andbromine were also homogenously incorporated with norelation to the crystallographic organization of the coccolith. Conversely, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, titanium,
and rubidium are related to diagenetic processes and clay
contamination.
These results (1) improve the understanding of thechemical incorporation of elements, (2) recognize diagenetic effects on coccolith chemistry, and (3) make itpossible to develop new paleoceanographic proxies, e.g.,
the chlorine and bromine incorporation in coccoliths forsalinity reconstructions. Further analysis, especially on
living species, will greatly help in the calibration of theseproxies.

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History of the oceanic carbonate cycle based on
calcareous nannofossil absolute abundance andflux in the past 190 Myr
baptiste Suchéras-Marx

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; baptiste.sucheras@gmail.com

Emanuela Mattioli

Laboratoire de Géologie de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; emanuela.mattioli@
univ-lyon1.fr

Fabienne Giraud

Université de Grenoble 1, 38041 Grenoble, France; Fabienne.Giraud-Guillot@ujf-grenoble.fr

Julien Plancq

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; plancq.julien@orange.fr

bernard Pittet

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; bernard.pittet@univ-lyon1.fr

Samer Kenjo

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; samerkengo@yahoo.com

Céline Salaviale*

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Campus de la DOUA, 69622 Villeurbanne, France; celine.salaviale@gmail.com

Calcareous nannoplankton produce half of the calcium
carbonate found in the deep ocean, so they are a main
actor in the modern carbonate cycle. In today’s ocean, thecarbonate cycle relies extensively on pelagic production(Cretan ocean of Zeebe & Westbroek, 2003). Calcareous
nannofossils first appeared at the end of the Triassic, andprior to this major oceanic event, carbonate production
was restricted to epicontinental platforms (Neritan oceanof Zeebe & Westbroek, 2003). The transition from neriticsupported to pelagic-supported carbonate production was
influenced by the evolution of calcareous nannofossils.
Unfortunately, this transition has poor time constraints,
which limits the ability to understand the processes andtheir forcing (climatic, evolutionary, and chemical) that
occurred. Here, we present a compilation of calcareous
nannofossil absolute abundances and fluxes from the
Early Jurassic (~190 Ma) to the end of the Pleistocene(~0.12 Ma). Absolute abundance quantification was madeusing random settling methods, and the sedimentation
rates are based on cyclostratigraphy or biostratigraphy
from Gradstein et al. (2012).
The calcareous nannofossil absolute abundance andflux records show an increase from the Early Jurassic

to the Early Cretaceous followed by stable values until
the Pleistocene, which is interrupted by some short-term
decreases. Apparently, the transition from Neritan toCretan oceans was a slow transitional event throughout
the Jurassic, whereas effective pelagic production only
began in the Early Cretaceous. The evolution of calcareous nannofossil production in the Mesozoic-Cenozoic
interval is a complex interplay between nannofossil
evolution and environmental conditions, such as sea level,temperature, nutrients concentration, and ocean chemistry. Nevertheless, on a long-term perspective, there isan intriguing inverse relationship between atmospheric
CO2 concentrations and calcareous nannofossil fluxes thatmerits further study.
References
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M.D. & Ogg,
G.M. 2012. The Geologic Time Scale 2012. Elsevier,
Amsterdam.
Zeebe, R.E. & Westbroek, P. 2003. A simple model for
the CaCO3 saturation state of the ocean: the "Strangelove," the "Neritan," and the "Cretan" Ocean. Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 4(12): 1104.

INA14117

Is phosphate availability significant to the morphologicaldiversity within Helicosphaera carteri?
luka Šupraha*

Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden; luka.supraha@geo.uu.se

andrea Gerecht

CEES, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; a.c.gerecht@ibv.uio.nobente Edvardsen

Marine Biology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo, Norway; bente.edvardsen@ibv.uio.no

Jorijntje Henderiks

Palaeobiology, Department of Earth Sciences, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden; CEES, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, 0316 Oslo,
Norway; jorijntje.henderiks@geo.uu.se

Helicosphaera carteri (Wallich) Kamptner is the mostcommon modern representative of the genus Helicosphaera Kamptner. Since its first occurrence in the late
Oligocene, the species has exhibited remarkable phenotypic variation, which has resulted in a number of describedvariants both in the fossil record (Theodoridis, 1984) andin modern assemblages (Geisen et al., 2004). While thegeneral morphology of the coccoliths (size, shape, blanket
elements, and flange structure) is maintained throughout
the fossil record and within modern variants, the key
morphological characters used for distinguishing among
the variants are the ultrastructural features of the central
area. A detailed morphological analysis of two cultured
strains of H. carteri var. carteri revealed that almost allof the coccolith types described in the fossil and modern
H. carteri variants can be produced by a single genotype.
These findings suggest that H. carteri var. carteri, as theoldest and phenotypically most plastic variant, may haveacted as a source of phenotypic and genotypic diversity
from which other less plastic variants (e.g., H. carteri var.
wallichii) and species (e.g., H. hyalina) diverged. Thisis supported by the molecular data of Sáez et al. (2003).
The contribution of various coccolith types and varieties
to total H. carteri coccolith counts varies significantly inthe fossil record. This plasticity and subsequent evolutionof the group may be driven by changing environmental
conditions, such as nutrient availability. This hypothesis
was tested with batch culture experiments that investigated the effects of phosphate limitation on the physiology
and morphology of two H. carteri var. carteri strains.
Both strains, obtained from the Roscoff culture collection, were isolated at sites with different nutrient regimes:
strain RCC1323 in the South Atlantic (high availabilityof phosphate) and strain RCC1334 in the western Mediterranean (area limited in phosphate). Batch cultures
were grown in triplicate in K/2 medium with phosphateconcentrations modified to induce P-limitation. Stabletemperature (17ºC), light (150 µE m-2 s-1), and light/dark(14h:10h) conditions were ensured by keeping culturesin a culture chamber. Cells were harvested as soon as
the P-limited batch cultures reached stationary growthphase due to phosphate limitation. Control cultures were
sampled at the same cell concentration to be comparablewith phosphate limited batch cultures. Besides various

measurements of cell physiology, and cellular organic andinorganic quotas, detailed morphological analysis was
performed using scanning electron microscopy.
Under replete phosphate conditions, the most common
coccolith type (with the bridge dividing the central area
into two small pores) accounted for on average 75%of coccoliths in strain RCC1323, and 63% in strain
RCC1334. A morphotype without the bridge, and with one
large pore in the middle of the central area, was second
most abundant with 19% contribution in strain RCC1323
and 31% in strain RCC1334. Three less abundant coccolith types accounted for 6% of the coccoliths in RCC1323
and 5% in strain RCC1334, with the coccoliths with only
one small pore being dominant in RCC1323, and a morediverse composition of rare coccoliths being observedin RCC1334. Under phosphate limitation, no significant
change in coccolith composition was observed in strain
RCC1323, while in strain RCC1334 a shift was observedin the ratio between the two most common coccolithtypes. This observation may indicate a strain specificresponse to phosphate limitation. Overall, however, ourresults suggest that phosphate limitation does not havea strong effect on coccolith plasticity in H. carteri var.
carteri, and we therefore conclude that selection pressureof phosphate availability may be of minor importance tothe phenotypic evolution of this species.
References
Geisen, M., Young, J.R., Probert, I., Garcia Sáez, A., Baumann, K.-H., Bollmann, J., Cros, L., De Vargas, C.,
Medlin, L.K. & Sprengel, C. 2004. Species level variation in coccolithophores. In: H.R. Thierstein & J.R.
Young (Eds). Coccolithophores- from Molecular Processes to Global Impact. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg:
327-366.
Sáez, A.G., Probert, I., Geisen, M., Quinn, P., Young, J.R.
& Medlin, L.K. 2003. Pseudo-cryptic speciation incoccolithophores. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 100: 7163-7168.
Theodoridis, S. 1984. Calcareous nannofossil biozonationof the Miocene and revision of the helicoliths and discoasters. Utrecht Micropaleontological Bulletins, 32.

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Nannofossils across the late Cenomanian to middle Coniacian interval, Běchary section, Bohemian Cretaceous Basin: state of the art
lilian Švábenická

Czech Geological Survey, 118 21 Praha, Czech Republic; lilian.svabenicka@geology.cz

Stanislav ČechCzech Geological Survey, 118 21 Praha, Czech Republic; stanislav.cech@geology.cz

David Uličný

Institute of Geophysics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 141 31 Praha, Czech Republic; ulicny@ig.cas.cz

Research core Běchary Bch-1 was chosen as a key reference section to reconstruct mid-Cretaceous sea-levelchanges, paleoceanography, and paleoclimate. The core islocated in the offshore sediments of the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, east-central Czech Republic and reached404.6 m in depth. The depocentre was part of a seaway
developed along the reactivated Elbe Fault System (Uličný
et al., 2009) during the latest Cenomanian-Coniacian andconnected the epicontinental basins of the NW European
Platform to the deep-sea basins of the NW Tethys (nowthe Western Carpathians).
The nannofossil study is a part of multidisciplinary
research that has focused on nannofossil distribution,
abundance and preservation, first (FO) and last (LO)occurrences of marker species, and semiquantitative
counting. Attention was paid to fluctuating numbers ofspecies (Biscutum spp., Braarudosphaera ssp., Lucianorhabdus sp., Marthasterites furcatus, etc.) that may
reflect sea-level changes and other paleoenvironmental
conditions, and contribute significantly to the understanding of the depocenter’s architecture. Altogether,
96 samples were analyzed. Nannofossil events were firstcorrelated with inoceramids.
The upper Cenomanian strata contained poorly
preserved nannofossils in the UC4b Zone (Burnett, 1998)
with higher numbers of Biscutum ellipticum, Broinsonia
signata, and Watznaueria barnesiae. The co-occurrenceof Lithraphidites acutus and Axopodorhabdus albianus
was suddenly interrupted by a short interval with poor
nannofossil content. A Turonian age is indicated by
the FO of Eprolithus octopetalus, Zone UC5c–UC6a,followed quickly by the FO of E. moratus (Zone UC6b).
The uppermost Cenomanian, the Cenomanian-Turonianboundary, and the lowermost Turonian were marked byan omission surface, associated with a distinct hiatus thatprobably spanned the UC5a–b Zone interval.
The next succession of FOs of nannofossil markers
came during the lower-middle Turonian: Lucianorhabdussp., Eiffellithus perch-nielseniae, Octolithus multiplus, Quadrum gartneri, Eiffellithus eximius, Kamptnerius magnificus, Lithastrinus septenarius, Liliasterites

angularis, and Marthasterites furcatus. Above the first
discovery of inoceramid species Inoceramus perplexus,
the base of the upper Turonian has the FOs of Ottavianus
giannus, Zeugrhabdotus biperforatus, and Broinsonia
parca expansa. The base of the acme of M. furcatusapproximately coincides with a decrease in CaCO3 content
and an increase in SiO2 content in the sediments, and with
the Didymotis Event I. Some of the above mentioned
nannofossil events are of local stratigraphic importance(Švábenická, 2012).
The Coniacian stage was recognized by the FO of
Cremnoceramus deformis erectus. Above this, the FOs of
Micula adumbrata and the top of the acme of M. furcatus
were recorded. The species H. turonicus and O. giannus
were already absent. The short interval of the inoceramid
Cremnoceramus deformis crassus Zone marked theuppermost early Coniacian. The FOs of M. staurophoraand Uniplanarius gothicus in the overlying strata suggest
a middle Coniacian age.
Research is financially supported by the Grant Agencyof the Czech Republic, Project No. P210/10/1991, “A
new European reference section to study mid-Cretaceous
sea-level changes, paleoceanography and paleoclimate: aresearch borehole in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin”.
References
Burnett, J.A. 1998: Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown
(Ed). Calcareous Nannoplankton Biostratigraphy.
British Micropalaeontological Society Publication
Series. Chapman and Hall/Kluwer Academic Publishers, London: 132-199.
Švábenická, L. 2012. Nannofossil record across the
Cenomanian-Coniacian interval in the Bohemian
Cretaceous Basin and Tethyan foreland basins (Outer
Western Carpathians), Czech Republic. Geologica
Carpathica, 63: 201-217.
Uličný, D., Špičáková, L., Grygar, R., Svobodová, M.,Čech, S. & Laurin, J. 2009. Palaeodrainage systems
at the basal unconformity of the Bohemian Cretaceous
Basin: roles of inherited fault systems and basement
lithology during the onset of basin filling. Bulletin of
Geosciences, 84: 577-610.

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Size variations in the coccolith species Calcidiscus
leptoporus in the Sulu Sea during the late Pleistocene
to Holocene
Deborah N. Tangunan*
dntangunan@gmail.com

alyssa M. Peleo-alampay
ampanigs@yahoo.com

Nannoworks Laboratory, National Institute of Geological Sciences, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Phillipines

A morphological analysis of the coccolithophore species
Calcidiscus leptoporus in the Sulu Sea from the late Pleistocene to the Holocene shows a significant correlation
between coccolith diameter size and the number of radial
elements. Results of this study also show that C. leptoporus responded to changes in temperature and nutrient
contents in the study area. Variations in the abundancesof the small (<5µm), intermediate (5-8.5µm), and large(>8.5µm) C. leptoporus specimens are associated with
global climatic shifts, such as the timing of the Older

Dryas, the Bølling-Allerød, and the Younger Dryas during
the late Pleistocene-Holocene transition in the Sulu Sea.
During the Older and Younger Dryas in the Sulu Sea,
greater numbers of the large forms (“winter-type”) of C.
leptoporus are recorded. Surface-water enrichment fromcoastal upwelling off the Zamboanga Peninsula during
the interstadials led to an increase in and/or dominance ofthe small forms of C. leptoporus. The intermediate forms
dominated in most of the warm episodes where they
comprised almost 90% of the C. leptoporus assemblage.

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The last 150 years of coccoliths in the Carmen basin,
Gulf of California
arely Temazatzi

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), Universidad de Colima, 28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México;
are_sakura@hotmail.com

M. Carmen Álvarez

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), Universidad de Colima, 28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México;
carmen.alvagar@gmail.com

aramis Olivos-Ortiz

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), Universidad de Colima, 28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México;
aramis.olivos@gmail.com

Sonia Quijano-Scheggia

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), Universidad de Colima, 28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México;quijano@ucol.mx

Marco a. Galicia-Pérez

Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Oceanológicas (CEUNIVO), Universidad de Colima, 28860, Manzanillo, Colima, México;
galicia@ucol.mx

ligia Pérez-Cruz

Instituto de Geofísica, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, México City, 04510 México; perezcruz@geofisica.unam.mx

Miguel a. Díaz-Flores

Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, México City, 04510 México; angelmigueld@gmail.com

In order to reconstruct the paleoceanography in the Gulf ofCalifornia, a Reineck core was obtained in 670 m of waterfrom the Carmen Basin (25°53.311'N 110°52.267'W).
Core C53B is 26 cm long, and 25 samples were collected
and observed under a cross-polarizing light microscope(1000x) by counting 300 coccoliths per slide (Fatela &Taborda, 2002). Samples were prepared using the decantation technique described by Flores & Sierro (1977).
The coccolithophore assemblage was dominatedby Gephyrocapsa (> 3µm) with an average of 43.1%,
followed by Emiliania huxleyi with 26.9%, while a significantly lower abundance was seen for Helicosphaera
spp. (9.2%), Calcidiscus spp. (5.5%), Gephyrocapsa<3μm (3.4%), and Acanthoica spp. (3%). The following
minority abundance taxa were also considered: Umbilicosphaera spp. (1.4%), Oolithotus fragilis (0.7%), Pontosphaera spp. (0.5%), and Syracosphaera spp. (0.4%).
Relative abundances and environmental affinities
suggest the following paleoceanographic scenarios for
the Carmen Basin. In the basal core section (26-14 cm),the presence of Gephyrocapsa > 3μm and E. huxleyi indicated waters with high productivity and the influence of
upwelling. The presence of Helicosphaera spp., Calci-

discus spp., Acanthoica spp., Oolithotus fragilis, andSyracosphaera spp. indicated waters of low productivity
and little upwelling. According to the conditions andabundance peaks of the minority taxa, we suggest a eutrophic environment with varying intensities of upwelling.
In the middle of the core (14-8 cm), the dominant taxa
showed constant values exceeding abundance averages,
and Gephyrocapsa (> 3μm) exhibited a linear abundancetrend, while the abundance of E. huxleyi increased slightly.
We thus infer that during times of upwelling, conditions
were fairly stable. In the upper core section (8-0 cm), theabundance of taxa showed fluctuating trends, and Gephyrocapsa <3μm increased in a manner very similar to what
is at the top of the core. We deduce a mesotrophic environment with alternating intensities of upwelling.
References
Fatela, F. & Taborda, R. 2002. Confidence limits of species proportions in microfossil assemblages. Marine
Micropaleontology, 45: 169-174.
Flores, J.A. & Sierro, F.J. 1997. Revised technique forcalculation of calcareous nannofossil accumulation
rates. Micropaleontology, 43: 321-324.

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121

Weakly calcified polar coccolithophorids:
the genus Pappomonas revisited.
Helge abildhauge Thomsen

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Institut for Akvatiske Ressourcer, 2920 Charlottenlund, Denmark; hat@aqua.dtu.dk

Jette b. Østergaard

Nørrebrogade 52a 5th, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark; jette2404@hotmail.com

Mikal Heldal

Dep. of Biology, Universitetet i Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Mikal.Heldal@bio.uib.no

An assemblage of weakly calcified coccolithophorid
genera and species were described from Polar Regions
almost 40 years ago. In the interim period, a few additional findings have been reported that expand the known
habitat of some of the species. The genus Pappomonas
is revisited here with the purpose of providing, based on
additional sampling from both the Arctic and Antarctic
regions, an update on species morphology, life history
events, and biogeography that can serve as a reference
for the future. The examination of a substantial numberof cells unequivocally supports the identification of a
new species of Pappomonas (previously referred to as P.
flabellifera var. borealis) as a separate taxon because it
differs from P. flabellifera in a number of critical morpho-

logical features. Additional evidence in favor of linking P.
virgulosa and Balaniger balticus in a shared life history,
in combination with profound differences in coccolithmorphology between the Pappomonas type species (P.
flabellifera) and P. virgulosa, has prompted us to recommend that P. virgulosa be removed from Pappomonas andin the future be referred to as Balaniger balticus HET. A
new Pappomonas species is described to accommodate
Antarctic material from the Weddell Sea. While fitting
convincingly into the Pappomonas generic concept, thisspecies adds new dimensions to the overall appearance ofthe coccolith armor of the cell and emphasizes the close
relationship between species of Pappomonas and Papposphaera.

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Coccolithophore assemblages during sapropel S1
deposition in the NE Mediterranean Sea:
paleoceanographic and paleoclimatic implications
Maria v.Triantaphyllou

Faculty of Geology & Geoenvironment, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Panepistimioupolis Zografou, 157 84 Athens, Greece;
mtriant@geol.uoa.gr

The Mediterranean Sea, a semi-closed basin, is a smallscale ocean with high environmental variability and steep
physicochemical gradients, and it is influenced by both
tropical and mid-latitude climatic processes. The climaticchanges imprinted on the sedimentary archive of theMediterranean Sea are closely dependent upon (1) orbital,
suborbital, and solar cyclicities, (2) global atmosphericteleconnection patterns, and (3) shifts in the Intertropical
Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over Africa. The Aegean Sea
is a crucial area in the Mediterranean due to its rapid
response to atmospheric forcing, thus making it an ideal
case study for the analysis of deep-water formation and its
relationship to climate change. The Aegean Sea, located at
the NE edge of the eastern Mediterranean, is not directly
affected by Atlantic oceanic circulation and is uniquein terms of (1) sea-bottom geomorphology (i.e., several
sub-basins with diverse bathymetries) and (2) productivity levels in the individual sub-basins. As opposed topresent-day oceanographic conditions, the quasi-periodic
occurrence of organic-rich layers, so-called sapropels,
throughout the last 13.5 million years indicates intervals of dramatically different oceanographic and trophic
conditions. Recent paleoceanographic findings suggestthat during the Holocene, the northeastern Mediterranean
climate was less stable than previously thought. Indeed,
several recently generated Aegean paleoceanographic
records of sapropel S1 suggest that during the Holocene,
there were short-term potentially global cooling episodes,
which resulted from North Atlantic climatic fluctuations
and possibly were related to solar variability. These
episodes were superimposed on the underlying regional
subtropical/tropical influences on the hydrography andecosystems.
The present study compares several paleoceanographic
records from the northeastern Mediterranean in order to(1) identify sensitivities and response-modes to tempera-ture and hydrological change during the sapropel S1 times
through the use of coccolithophores and (2) determine
paleoceanographic exchanges between the northeastern
Mediterranean and the Black Sea, given the influence ofthe latter on deep-water formation, lower salinity influx,
and the supply of nutrients to the Aegean Sea/NE Mediterranean.
Detailed quantitative analyses of coccolithophores were
performed on the deep-sea deposits of the northeastern
Mediterranean Sea from five gravity cores from the North
Aegean Sea (SL 152), the SE Aegean (NS-14, NS-18),
the SW Aegean (SK-3), and the south Cretan continental
margin (HCMR 2/22). The focus of the study was on theregional expression of sapropel S1 deposition. At all sites,
higher values of Florisphaera profunda, Helicosphaeraspp., and Braarudosphaera bigelowii, and the concomitant increase of stratification S index in the sapropel intervals, can be interpreted to result from elevated marine
production and enhanced inflow of fresh water during
the S1 period. A series of cooling events were discovered in the S1 depositional interval that may be linked to
outbursts of cold northerly air masses and related pulses
in the deep-intermediate water ventilation, which caused
a temporary cessation of S1 at ~8 ka. During this interval,
the peak of Emiliania huxleyi, the decrease in abundanceof F. profunda, Helicosphaera spp., and Rhabdosphaeraspp., and a general increase in net primary production(NPP), are related to shoaling of the nutricline and higher
production in the surface layer. The stratification S index
is significantly higher in the north Aegean with respect tothe south Cretan margin, reflecting higher productivity inthe deep photic zone during S1 deposition. The concomitant increased presence of B. bigelowii is linked to prominent riverine input in the north Aegean basins and theinflux of Black Sea waters after 8 ka.

INA14123

The effect of coccolith shape on coccolithophore
fluid dynamics
Marites villarosa Garcia*
marites@uchicago.edu

James J. Porter

porterjamesj@uchicago.edu

University of Chicago, Department of Geophysical Sciences, Chicago, IL 06037, USA

Coccolithophore species exhibit a variety of coccolith morphologies. Although the exact function of thesestructures is as yet unclear, it is possible to posit and test
specific consequences for an individual cell. In this study,
we carried out sinking experiments using scaled-up coccolithophore models in order to test the effect that coccolith shape has on whole-organism sinking dynamics. We
constructed models of three of Young's (1994) proposed
coccosphere types – placolith-bearing, umbelliform,
and floriform – which correlate to different environments. When we compared placolith-bearing forms withdifferent coccolith sizes, we found that the model withthe largest coccoliths had a slower terminal velocity thanthe other size classes. The floriform model preferentiallyoriented itself when sinking so that the concave side faced
upwards; it fell with a speed similar to that of the large
placolith model. The umbelliform model sank at a slower
speed than all the other models, despite being significantly heavier. (All other models had identical masses.)This is likely a result of the stalked coccoliths increasing

the effective radius of the model, thus increasing its dragwithout increasing its mass (which would be the case if
it were a solid sphere). A sphere of equal mass with aradius equal to that of the inner radius of the umbelliform
model sank with a greater terminal velocity; the Stokes
radii of the umbelliform model and the equal-mass spherediffered by an order of magnitude. To test the effect of
coccolith arrangement in a coccosphere, we systematically removed coccoliths from the umbelliform model,thus changing the packing density of the structures. We
found that terminal velocity decreased in a linear fashion,
though the magnitude of decrease cannot be explainedby the decrease in mass alone. Our experiments demonstrated that coccolith shape influences the overall fluid
dynamics of coccolithophores.
Reference
Young, J.R. 1994. Function of coccoliths. In: A. Winter& S.G. Siesser (Eds). Coccolithophores. Cambridge
University Press, Cambridge: 63-82.

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Nannofossil biostratigraphy in the Campanian a Tethyan perspective
Michael Wagreich

Department of Geodynamics & Sedimentology, Universität Wien, 1090 Wien, Austria; michael.wagreich@univie.ac.at

The Santonian-Campanian boundary and the upper
Campanian were investigated from Tethyan sections inAustria, Hungary, Spain, and Turkey. Sections in theAustrian part (Northern Calcareous Alps and Ultrahelvetic
units) of the northwestern Tethys recorded Late Cretaceous nannofossil biostratigraphic events within neritic tobathyal environments. It was possible to correlate calcareous nannoplankton and planktonic foraminiferal bioevents with macrofossils and isotope chemostratigraphy.
The Santonian-Campanian boundary interval wasinvestigated in several sections. The crinoid Marsupites
laevigatus (uppermost Santonian with last occurrence
proposed as a marker event for the base of the Campanian
by Gale et al., 1995) was found, along with ammonites
and inoceramids (Wagreich et al., 2009). Globotruncanita elevata with its first (local) appearance indicatedthe asymetrica–elevata planktonic foraminiferal Concurrent Range Zone, which straddles the boundary interval.
Nannofossils in our sections placed the boundary withinstandard Zone CC17 (Sissingh, 1977; Perch-Nielsen,1985) and Zones UC12-13 (Burnett, 1998), with Arkhangelskiella cf. cymbiformis already present in the upper
Santonian sediments. The first occurrence of the nannofossil Broinsonia parca parca, which defines the base ofstandard Zones CC18/UC14, was found in early Campanian sediments. The nannofossil event closest to theinferred boundary in the Tethyan sections was the firstcommon occurrence of curved Lucianorhabdus cayeuxii.
The base of Chron 33r, the first reversal after the Long
Cretaceous Normal and another candidate marker eventfor the base of the Campanian (Ogg & Hinnov in Gradstein et al., 2012: 83.6 Ma), was within Subzone CC17b.
In the late Campanian, the base of Zone CC22 UC15dTP, defined by the first occurrence of Uniplanarius
trifidus, correlated to the first occurrence of Radotruncana calcarata (base of the calcarata planktonic fora-

minifera Zone; Wagreich et al., 2012). This combined
nannofossil and planktonic foraminiferal event is situatedabove a mid-Campanian carbon isotope event and below
the late Campanian event, a significant negative carbon
isotope excursion in the upper part of nannofossil Zone
CC22-23a.
References
Burnett, J.A. 1998. Upper Cretaceous. In: P.R. Bown
(Ed). Calcareous Nannofossil Biostratigraphy. British
Micropalaeontological Society Publications Series,
Chapman and Hall/Kluwer Academic Publishers, London: 132-199.
Gale, A.S., Montgomery, P., Kennedy, W.J., Hancock,
J.M., Burnett, J.A. & McArthur, J.M. 1995. Definition
and global correlation of the Santonian-Campanianboundary. Terra Nova, 7: 611-622.
Gradstein, F.M., Ogg, J.G., Schmitz, M.D. & Ogg, G.M.
(Eds). 2012. The Geologic Time Scale 2012. Elsevier,
Amsterdam: 1144pp.
Perch-Nielsen, K. 1985. Cenozoic calcareous nannofossils. In: H.M. Bolli, K. Perch-Nielsen & J.B. Saunders(Eds). Plankton stratigraphy. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge: 427-554.
Sissingh, W. 1977. Biostratigraphy of Cretaceous calcareous nannoplankton. Geologie en Mijnbouw, 56: 37-65.
Wagreich, M., Hohenegger, J. & Neuhuber, S. 2012. Nannofossil biostratigraphy, strontium and carbon isotope
stratigraphy, cyclostratigraphy and an astronomicallycalibrated duration of the Late Campanian Radotruncana calcarata Zone. Cretaceous Research, 38: 80-96.
Wagreich, M., Summesberger, H. & Kroh, A. 2009.
Late Santonian bioevents in the Schattau section,
Gosau Group of Austria – implications for the Santonian-Campanian boundary stratigraphy. Cretaceous
Research, 31: 181-191.

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Integrated geochronology: how microscopic fossils
influence the design of deepwater production facilities
Ryan D. Weber

BP America, Inc., Houston, TX 77079, USA; ryan.d.weber@bp.com

lawrence Febo

Chevron Energy Technology Company, Houston, TX 77002, USA; lawrence.febo@chevron.com

Richard Weiland

BP America, Inc., Houston, TX 77079, USA; richard.weiland@bp.com

Eric liedtke

BP America, Inc., Houston, TX 77079, USA; eric.liedtke@bp.com

Geological hazard assessments are vital to the success of
deepwater production facility design. We investigated thegeochronology of 14 geophysical horizons to understandbetter the timing of fault displacement and subsequent
submarine mass wasting as part of a geohazard assessment for a field located in the deep waters of the Gulf of
Mexico. To calculate the ages for these geophysical horizons in the supra- and extra-salt sections near the field
area, radiocarbon, stable oxygen isotopes, and biostratigraphy were evaluated in 420 samples from a series ofgeotechnical bore holes and cores collected from sediments shallower than 500' below mudline. The stable
oxygen isotope record was utilized to help reduce uncertainty in the age of sediments between biostratigraphically constrained events. These events are crucial tointerpreting the stable isotope record, due to geologicaland sampling gaps.
Late Pleistocene published nannofossil datums were
utilized to constrain the geochronology of cored sediments (Martini, 1971; Gartner, 1977; Okada & Bukry,
1980; de Kaenel et al., 1999). The first stratigraphic event
beyond the limits of radiocarbon utility is the highest
common occurrence of Gephyrocapsa spp. at 70 ka, when
it becomes significantly more abundant than Emiliania
huxleyi. Likewise, a nannofossil assemblage dominatedby Gephyrocapsa oceanica (base of CN14) was recognized at ~161 ka. The lowest occurrence of E. huxleyi(base of NN21/CN15) is a well-established event occurring between 248 ka and 270 ka (de Kaenel et al., 1999;de Kaenel, 2000). We adopted the age for this horizon
at 270 ka as it is constrained by oxygen isotope stratigraphy in the Mediterranean (datum 3 of de Kaenel et al.,1999). The Highest Occurrence (HO) of circular Pseudoemiliania lacunosa lacunosa (=Salisia kamptneri; base of
NN20/CN14b) is a significant, widely used nannofossil
event that occurs at 439 ka (datum 4 of de Kaenel et al.,1999).

Assigned depositional ages of mapped horizons were
derived from the integrated assessment of all the geochronological data from samples above and below mappedhorizons in all sampled boreholes. Several sourcesof error will be discussed when considering the depths
and assigned ages of mapped horizons. For example,
geophysical mapping uncertainty, velocity-depth conversion, borehole sampling relative to seismic acquisitionlines, and under sampled horizons introduce larger uncertainties. Estimates in age uncertainty are discussed andassigned for each horizon.
Comparing these horizons with global sea-level curves
and marine isotope stages, the hypothesis is that recent
activity of principle geohazards are tied to drops in sea
level and increases in sediment mass accumulation rate.
Therefore, a predicted larger magnitude and higher rate offault displacement and mass wasting in the area are thenlinked to sea-level lowstands or glacial maxima.
Referencesde Kaenel, E., Siesser, W.G. & Murat, A. 1999. Pleistocene calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and thewestern Mediterranean sapropels, Sites 974, 977, and979. In: R. Zahn, M.C. Comas, & A. Klaus (Eds), Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program, Scientific
Results, 161: 159-183.
de Kaenel, E. 2000. Mediterranean Pleistocene calcareous
nannofossil biochronology. 8th International Nannoplankton Conference, Bremen, September 11-15, 2000.
Gartner, S. 1977. Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy and revised zonation of the Pleistocene. Marine
Micropaleontology, 2: 1-25.
Martini, E. 1971. Standard Tertiary and Quaternary calcareous nannoplankton zonation. Proceedings 2nd
Planktonic Conference, Rome, 1970, 2: 739-785.
Okada, H. & Bukry, D. 1980. Supplementary modification and introduction of code numbers to the low-latitude coccolith biostratigraphic zonation (Bukry, 1973;1975). Marine Micropaleontology, 5: 321-325.

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Nannotax - creating a web directory of nannofossil
taxonomy
Jeremy R. Young
jeremy.young@ucl.ac.uk

Paul R. bown
p.bown@ucl.ac.uk

Jackie a. leesj.lees@ucl.ac.uk

Department of Earth Sciences, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK

The World Wide Web (WWW) has revolutionized accessto information, enabling anyone to search for and hopefully find information on virtually anything. Conversely,
it means that there is an increasing need to deliver reliable taxonomic data through the WWW. Students, nonspecialist researchers, and indeed even expert taxonomists,
working outside their areas of specialization, increasingly
expect to find answers via the Web rather than from traditional monographs and may even trust answers found via
the Internet more than from printed publications. So, there
is a general need to deliver authoritative taxonomic data
via the Web, and this certainly applies to micropaleontology.
Nannotax is an online database of nannofossil
taxonomy and images that we have been developing overthe past five years, and while progress has not been as
speedy as we had hoped, it still has been considerable.
The system now contains high-quality images of nearly
all nannofossil species with concise diagnostic notes onmost species and longer descriptions of some. The Mesozoic module in particular has been vastly improved overthe past couple of years.
There has also been a major software upgrade to theunderlying “scratchpads” Content Management System(see http://scratchpads.eu/). The Nannotax site has
migrated into this new system, and by the time of the
INA14 meeting, the new version should be fully online,
incorporating various suggestions made by end users. We
will demonstrate the changed system and outline futureplans.

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Cruise-based multi-factorial investigation of the impact ofocean acidification on the pelagic biosphere
Jeremy R. Young

Earth Sciences, University College London, London, UK; jeremy.young@ucl.ac.uk

Toby Tyrell

National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; Toby.Tyrrell@soton.ac.uk

The pelagic ecosystem is a critical component of theearth's biosphere and biogeochemistry. It is also, however,a complex and in many respects poorly understoodsystem. As a consequence, predicting the likely impact ofocean acidification on the pelagic realm is problematic,
and predicting the possible secondary biogeochemical
effects of these impacts is "challenging". Nonethelessthere is a major societal need to predict these impacts andoutcomes.
Within the UK Ocean Acidification Programme, ourconsortium is tasked with "improving the understanding of
the impact of ocean acidification on surface ocean biology,
community structure, biogeochemistry, and on feedbacks
to the climate" (http://www.surfaceoa.org.uk). To ensurethat we are complementary with other programmes, wehave adopted a cruise-based approach. Three cruises havebeen undertaken: Cruise D366 in the summer of 2011,
around the northwest European shelf, Cruise JR271 in thesummer of 2012, to the Arctic Ocean, and a final cruise to
the Antarctic in January/February 2013. On each cruise,
we combined extensive environmental observations withdeck-board incubation experiments. The environmental
observations were made with both continuous samplingtechniques and CTD (conductivity, temperature, anddepth) sampling. The cruise tracks were designed to crossenvironmental gradients in ocean chemistry and espe-

cially in carbonate chemistry. The objective is to produce
a high quality matrix of multiple environmental parameters, including fully characterized carbonate chemistry(pH, CO2, DIC, and alkalinity were measured), nutrientchemistry, trace elements, climatically active gases, TEP(triethyl-phosphate), phytoplankton and zooplankton
composition, and biocalcification. The biocalcification
studies include a microfabric study of pteropods, in situ
calcification rates, and integrated morphometric andassemblage composition analyses of coccolithophores.
The incubation experiments were conducted with theuse of a dedicated culture facility that was constructed ina shipping-container laboratory. This allows large-scale
well-controlled experiments to be carried out that produce
samples for analysis using the same range of techniques
as the environmental sampling. On each cruise, six 4-day
incubation experiments were carried out in diverse oceanographic settings with four CO2 levels.
Overall, the project was specifically designed to create
a dataset that allows testing of a wide range of hypotheseson the possible direct impacts and secondary effects ofocean acidification. This talk will include an overview ofresults to date on coccolithophores, a key group of biocalcifying organisms, and the degree to which they support
these diverse hypotheses.

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POSTERS
Student Posters
SP-1: Garcia Romero, F.*, Cortés, M.M.Y., et al., Coccolithophore variability in response to coastal upwellingin the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula
SP-2: Sidon Caseña, K.*, Cortés, M.M.Y., et al., Coccolithophore assemblage composition and cell densities
at Alfonso Basin, Gulf of California
SP-3: Rochín Bañaga, H., Cortés, M.M.Y., et al., Coccolithophore CaCO3 fluxes in the Alfonso Basin
SP-4: Carag, J.W.M., and Fernando, A.G.S., Coccolithophore assemblages in Philippine inland seas
SP-5: Nogot, J.R.C.P., Peleo-Alampay, A.M., et al., Living coccolithphores in the Western Pacific Warm Pool
SP-6: Marquez-Ardiente, D.J.D., Peleo-Alampay, A.M.,
et al., Coccolithophore fluxes and variability from central and eastern Sulu Sea sediment traps in 2008-2009
SP-7: Rosario, D.J.G.*, Peleo-Alampay, A.M., and Fernando, A.G.S., Morphometric study of gephyrocapsids
in surface sediments from offshore western Luzon andsemi-enclosed bays of the Philippines
SP-8: Tangunan, D.N.*, and Peleo-Alampay, A.M., Sizevariations in the coccolith species Calcidiscus leptoporus in the Sulu Sea during the late Pleistocene to
Holocene
SP-9: Cabarcos, E.*, Flores, J.-A., et al., Are Indian
Ocean dynamics controlled by the Pacific Ocean orvice versa: ENSO versus monsoonal dynamic at a
suborbital scale?
SP-10: Cruz, J., Agbali, A., et al., Presence of specificcalcareous nannoplankton assemblages along the NE
Florida continental margin: a look at loop current
shedding and the DeSoto Canyon funnel effect
SP-11: Ausín, B., Flores, J.-A., et al., High resolution
reconstruction of productivity using coccolithophores
in two sites in the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean Sea) during the last 25 kyr
SP-12: Castro, A.*, Fernando, A.G.S., et al., Nannofossil biostratigraphy of northwest Leyte (Visayan Basin)
SP-13: Newsam, C.*, and Bown, P., Calcareous nannoplankton response across the Eocene-Oligocene transition in the North Atlantic Ocean

SP-14: Salaviale, C.*, and Mattioli, E., Climate, CCD, and calcareous nannofossils: actions and feedback
during the middle Eocene
SP-15: Salem, R.*, and Aubry, M.-P. Coccolith biostratigraphy across the Cretaceous-Paleogene Boundaryof the Dababiya Quarry Core, Egypt
SP-16: Brace, B.*, and Watkins, D.K., North American
Middle and Late Cretaceous paleoceanographic trends
evidenced by Biscutum
SP-17: Magtoto, C.Y.*, Fernando, A.G.S., et al., Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy across the Cenomanian-Turonian boundary of the Great Valley Group,
California
Posters
P-1: Malinverno, E., Triantaphyllou, M.V., et al., Lateralversus downward coccolith flux in a canyon settingat the southwestern Cretan margin (eastern Mediterranean Sea)
P-2: Meier, K.J.S., and Kinkel, H., Living on the edgeof CaCO3 undersaturation: a recurring autumn coccolithophore bloom in Kiel Bay (SW Baltic Sea)
P-3: Köbrich, M.I., Baumann, K.-H., et al., Calcareous
nannoplankton off NW Africa (Cape Blanc) – seasonaland inter-annual dynamics of coccolithophore fluxes
P-4: Balestra, B., Flores, J.-A., et al., Living and fossil coccolithophore communitites in the West Iberia
Margin and Gulf of Cadiz (IODP Exp. 339): oceanographic and environmental controls
P-5: Baumann, K-H., Böckel, B., et al., Biogeography
and ecology of Calcidiscus and Umbilicosphaera in
the South Atlantic
P-6: Baumann, K.-H., and Meggers, H., Coccolithophores in the Eastern Boundary Current System off
NW Africa: response to abrupt climate events during
the last 45,000 years
P-7: Temazatzi, A., Carmen Álvarez, M., et al., The last
150 years of coccoliths in the Carmen Basin, Gulf ofCalifornia
P-8: Athanasiou, M., Dimiza, M.D., et al., Climate variability at the North Aegean Sea (eastern MediterraneanSea) during the last two millennia: coccolithophoreevidence

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P-9: Bordiga, M., Cobianchi, M., and Lupi, C., Paleoceanographic changes in the NW Pacific Ocean overthe last 450 ka: evidence from statistical analysis of
calcareous nannofossil assemblages
P-10: Cavaleiro, C., Voelker, A., et al., North Atlantic
paleo-productivity changes during Marien Isotope
Stages (MIS) 10 to 16 – coccolithophore Sr/Ca evidence
P-11: Buitrago Reina, Y.M., Flores, J.-A., and Sierro, F.
J., Calcareous nannofossils and water dynamics in theeastern Pacific and Caribbean (western Atlantic) during the final phase of the emersion of Central America
P-12: Chuanlian, L., 5 Ma coccolith records and their
paleoceanographic significance in the south of theSouth China Sea
P-13: Holcová, K., and Doláková, N., Response of calcareous nannoplankton assemblages to the Middle
Miocene Climatic Transition in the epicontinental sea(Carpathian Foredeep, Central Paratethys)
P-14: Musatov, V., and Vasilyeva, O., The Middle Eocene
Climatic Optimum (MECO) event in the Keresta borehole in southern Russian Platform and changes in the
nannofossil and dinoflagellate cysts assemblages
P-15: Bartol, M., Tulbure, M., et al., The Badenian-Sarmatian boundary in the Getic Depression: preliminary
results of integrating biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy
P-16: Fernando, A.G.S., Magtoto, C.Y.*, et al., Calcareous nannofossil biostratigraphy of selected sedimentary formations on Negros Island (Visayan Basin, Central Philippines)
P-17: Fioroni, C., Persico, D., et al., Middle Eocene –lower Oligocene nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoceanography from ODP Site 711 (Equatorial Indian
Ocean)
P-18: Kulhanek, D.K., Morgans, H.E.G., et al., Ageand paleoenvironmental constraints based on calcareous nannofossil and foraminifera assemblages fromthe Eocene-Miocene of Lord Howe Rise, southwest
Pacific Ocean
P-19: Padilla, P.E., Reyes, A., et al., Biostratigraphic correlation of Paleogene sediments, based on calcareous
nannofossils in four wells from the Tampico-Misantla
Basin, Gulf of Mexico
P-20: Mahanipour, A., Parandavar, M., and Aghanabati,A., Late Maastrichtian-early Paleocene calcareous
nannofossil biostratigraphy in southwest IranP-21: Stoykova, K., Dinares-Turell, J., et al., Integrated
high-resolution nannofossil biostratigraphy and cyclomagnetostratigraphy of the upper Maastrichtian: correlation between the Bjala (Bulgaria) and Sopelana(Spain) sections
P-22: Sheldon, E., Morigi, C., et al., Stratigraphy of thelate Campanian-Maastrichtian boreal chalk based on
foraminifera, calcareous nannofossils, and carbon
stable isotopes: new results from the Femern Baelt,
Denmark and Germany
P-23: Sheldon, E., Ineson, J., et al., Nannofossil biostratigraphy and paleoecology of the Danish Lower Cretaceous reservoir chalks (Tuxen and Sola Formations)P-24: Švábenická, L., Čech, S., and Uličný, D., Nannofossils across the late Cenomanian to middle Coniacian interval, Bechary section, Bohemian Cretaceous
Basin: state of the art
P-25: Karam, K.A., and Kadar, A.P., Mid-Cretaceous calcareous nannoplankton biostratigraphy and paleoenvironment of Wasia Group, onshore Kuwait
P-26: Seefelt, E.L., Self-Trail, J.M., and Schultz, A.P.,
How to slow dissolution of calcareous nannofossils: acomparison of three preservation techniques
P-27: Blaj, T., Cole, S., et al., An industrial revolution: acomparison of industry and research nannofossil quantitative counting techniques
P-28: Barbarin, N., Beaufort, L., et al., Automated recognition of calcareous nannofossils: an application for
quantitative biostratigraphy
P-29: Lupi, C., Bordiga, M., et al., Can sample preparation techniques affect data on the relative abundance ofFlorisphaera profunda?
P-30: Persico, D., Cogliati, C., et al., Micropaleontology in archaeology: reconstruction of provenance ofancient ceramics through calcareous nannofossils
Demonstrations
Covington, M., Demo of BugWin and BugCAD

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INA14 Reston, USA 2013
Local Organising Committee & Staff(all USGS, Reston, Virginia, USA unless otherwise stated)

Jean SELF TRAIL: Organiser & Host
Wilma B. ALEMAN GONZALEZ: General Information, Contracts
Ellen L. SEEFELT: General Information, Artwork
Laurel M. BYBELL: Editing
Allen CRIDER: Audio Visual Support
David GOVONI: Website
Mercer PARKER: General Information & Field Trip Support
David S. POWARS: Field Trip Guide (post Conference)

We hope you enjoyed
INA14 in Reston

Arthur SCHULTZ: Field Trip Support
Whittney SPIVEY: General Information
Robert WEEMS: Field Trip Guide (Pre Conference)
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See you in 2015.

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contents

Program7

Keynote Address

8

Plenary Address

9

Abstracts
Posters

INA14 abstracts
Reston, Virginia
volume 33 | special issue | september 2013

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volume 33 | special issue | sep 2013

INA14 abstracts
Reston, Virginia